18 Burns H BIRDS EGGS ASD NESTS. 



to the nest, our disappointment may be imagined when we 

 found it empty. From the old bird having remained on so 

 long, we had made sure of finding eggs in it. The nest itself, 

 however, was interesting to me, perched as it was on the very 

 summit of the rock, and composed ot large sticks, * every one 

 of which must have been a heavy burden for a bird of the size 

 of the Osprey. 



In the centre of the pile of sticks was a cup-shaped hollow, 

 the size of a boy's cap, lined with moss and dead grass, and 

 apparently quite ready to receive eggs." "In another nest," 

 says the same author, elsewhere, "we found two beautiful 

 eggs, of a roundish shape : the colour white, with numerous 

 spots and marks of a fine rich red brown." Fie/. 2, plate I. 



The Osprey is met with from time to time in almost all parts 

 of the kingdom, but more especially along the east coast ; but 

 *.t is known to breed nowhere in England now. In America, 

 /t is met with in considerable numbers, forming as it were a 

 large colony, during the breeding season; of course., in the 

 vicinity of some ample and convenient fishing station. 



We come next to the Falcons, distinguished from the rost of tho 

 Hawks, by, among other things, their long and pointed wings, 

 and their vehement and rapid flight and dash in pursuing and 

 seizing their quarry, First we notice the 



7. GYR FALCON. (Falco Grssiilctndicus}. 

 Also called Jer Falcon and Greenland Falcon. 



8. ICELAND FALCON. (Falco hlandicu*). 



Neither of these birds breed in Britain, and they are only occa- 

 sional and somewhat rare visitants. Whatever notice can be 

 afforded to them, will be met with in the Appendix. 



9. PEREGRINE FALCON. (Falco perey rums), 



There was a time at which this bird was abundant enough in 

 our island. It still breeds in many parts of both England and 

 Scotland, though much more commonly in the latter country. 

 But in the feudal times there would have been no difficulty to 

 the young egg-collector if such beings existed then in meeting 

 with the nest of the Peregrine, in districts suitable to their 

 breeding habits and requirements. Although some consideration, 

 it is true, might have been advisable previously to appropriating 

 the contents of the said nest for cabinet purposes. The right - 

 hand of the fortunate collector would have been the penalty in 



* Sonic of the sticks or raiLer branches- -employed, arc sniJ to bo 1$ 

 inch in diameter. 



