To Mountain Tarn 



reports from the remoter districts, * Peregrine 

 common, though destroyed when seen.' Like 

 enough is she to hold her own and return, if not 

 the same, then another peregrine, till men's eyes 

 are opened to the colour of their actions. The 

 falcon for a looking-glass may help them to see 

 their likeness. 



Only fixed at the nesting time, even then she 

 chooses a lodgement for her brood, wild, often 

 inaccessible, a fit background for her and their 

 picturesque personality. No more exhilarating 

 sight is there than the young falcons in their nest 

 on the giddy ledge, looking boldly out on the 

 dwarfed glen or silent surf. Fearless, they will 

 strike at the man swung over from above, on a 

 rope. 



Only the other day some of the more offensive 

 of the tourist cult, after tormenting some ravens, 

 found a cleft or goat track by which they could 

 approach an aerie. In vain the old birds sought 

 to divert or daunt them. The falcon shot, the 

 less bold tiercel withdrew. These out of the 

 way they reached the nest, and threw the young 

 into their game sack. It is not pleasant to think 

 such things are done, that such gunners should 

 be allowed to kill nobler creatures than them- 

 selves. It has an ugly resemblance to other kinds 

 of shooting, and should teach to shun the very 

 appearance of being one in such a fellowship. 



On putting aside the gun, one may lay the 



27 



