106 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES. 



ciations, there is an air of independence and an 

 individuality of character about the Falconidce 

 that alone would render the group the most inte- 

 resting of the feathered tribes ; and when, besides 

 all this, we see them, like the aborigines of North 

 America, gradually yielding to the pressure of 

 what is called "civilization," and disappearing 

 from their native woods and mountain fastnesses 

 where a few years since they had it all their own 

 way, as the poor Indians among the prairies of 

 the West, a feeling of pity is superadded to our 

 regard for the persecuted race, and their habits, 

 manners, and even casual appearance, assume in 

 our eyes a twofold interest. 



The peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) may 

 be considered a rare bird in Sussex. As we have 

 no inland precipices, and the coast to the west- 

 ward of Brighton is generally flat, the favourite 

 haunts of this bird lie to the eastward of that 

 place. A pair have from time immemorial bred 

 near the summit of one of the highest cliffs at 

 Beachy Head, and although the nest has fre- 

 quently been robbed of the young ones, and 

 either of the parent birds has occasionally fallen 

 a victim to the trap or gun, yet it is surprising 

 with what pertinacity the position is still held, 

 and the right of tenure kept up by the survivor, 

 who in a short time finds a disengaged partner of 



