ALONG ROCK-BOUND COASTS. 207 



accessible part, often where the rocks overhang. 

 The female sits lightly, and quits her eggs almost 

 as soon as we reach the summit of the cliffs. 

 Perhaps she is warned of our approach by the 

 ever- watchful male, either soaring high in air 

 above her, or seated on some neighbouring rock 

 pinnacle which commands a view of the nest. 

 As a rule, Peregrines are remarkably silent, but 

 when their nest is threatened by human intruders 

 they set up an incessant chattering cry, and fly 

 to and fro past the face of the cliff, or wheel about 

 in the air above it. Cool of head and lithe of limb 

 must be the man who essays to reach the home of 

 the Peregrine when made in an ocean cliff. The 

 nest is scanty, often nothing but a mere hollow 

 in the soil, sometimes lined with a few bits of dry 

 grass and sea campion, and perchance one or two 

 feathers from the dead birds conveyed thither ; 

 indeed, the bones and other remnants of the Pere- 

 grine's victims strew the place if it is big enough 

 to hold them. The three or four eggs are usually 

 laid in May and do not differ in any respect save 

 size from those of the Kestrel. Every variation 

 seen in the one may be remarked in the other. 

 The young are kept well supplied with food, more 

 being taken than they can eat ; but as soon as 

 they can fly all parental care ceases and they quit 

 their birthplace for ever. The Peregrine has the 

 upper parts dark gray, the head and moustachial 

 lines are black, the underparts are buffish white, 

 spotted on the throat and breast, and barred on 

 the remainder with blackish brown. 



In one or two favoured districts, especially 

 on the wild, rocky coast of Wales, the nest of the 

 COMMON BUZZARD may be found ; and in most 



