206 THE BIRDS OF OUR RAMBLES. 



feels the task is almost hopeless, if we are to do 

 justice to all ; and utterly bewildered by the 

 stirring sights before us, we feel inclined to put 

 down the pen in despair. We might say so much 

 about each, had we the space and the time ; for 

 they are old, old friends whose habits and whose 

 ways for twenty years and more have been a 

 source of unalloyed pleasure and gratification. 

 Perhaps it may be best to deal first with the one 

 or two species of land-birds that dwell upon these 

 rocky coasts. One of the most interesting of 

 these is the PEREGRINE FALCON (Falcoperegrinus), 

 butver u y ted> the only species of the larger Falcons (Falco and 

 Hierofalco) that breeds within the confines of the 

 British Islands. The Peregrine is far from being 



^5 c? 



a common bird, although a pair may be found 

 breeding in most of the big bird-cliffs, especially 

 in the northern districts. For dash and boldness 

 the Peregrine stands unrivalled. His food con- 

 sists of such birds as Puffins, Ducks, Plovers, and 

 Pigeons ; and these he flies down in a way so 

 brilliant and daring as ever to win our admiration, 

 in spite of its being tinged with regret at the 

 death of our favourites. Many and many a time 

 have I seen the sea-birds on some lofty cliff 

 thrown into commotion by the swoop of this 

 Falcon, as, like an arrow from a bow, he has 

 hurled himself among the fluttering hosts and 

 borne away his victim before the uproar has 

 actually commenced. Any observer of birds, I 

 doubt not, can furnish instances of this bold 

 freebooter's audacity. I am of opinion that the 

 Peregrine pairs for life ; and year after year the 

 same cliffs will contain the nest. This is generally 

 built on a shelf or in a crevice in the least 



