BIRDS OF ARRAN. 295 



quite unsuitable as a habitude for these birds ; and Hunter, 

 it is not improbable, may still have conceived some right or 

 use for what he did. The hawks to some extent still main- 

 tain their footing here, as likewise on the opposite majestic 

 precipice of Ardueilbank. Preparatory to the visit of George 

 IV. to Edinburgh, in 1822, the redoubted old falconer, 

 Fleming of Barochan, in the barony of Renfrew, sent his 

 trusty and kindly old trainer, John Anderson, to procure 

 eyesses to be trained and presented on that notable occasion ; 

 and it was understood he was at least successful in obtaining 

 a number from the eyries of Ardneilbank." 



I examined a very fine female peregrine which was shot 

 in the Island of Bute in April, 1872. 



HOBBY (Fcdco subbuteo). Mr. Mackay, resident at Loch 

 Ranza, informs me that he has taken the nest of this bird in 

 Arran, in company with the late Dr. M. Bany. The bird has 

 been accurately described to me ; and I see no reason, for 

 rejecting the information. In 1857 a specimen of the 

 hobby, freshly set up, and said to have been procured in 

 Arran, was shewn to me for identification. Being a rarity, it 

 was, after passing through various hands, lost to the original 

 owner, and I have since been unable to trace its ultimate 

 fate. 



MERLIN (Falco cesalori). This beautiful and active little 

 bird of prey is permanently resident in Bute and Arran, 

 breeding in both islands ; several nests are met with yearly 

 by Mr. Halliday and his assistants in the coxirse of their 

 walks over the moors. 



KESTREL (Falco tinnunculiis). A very common species, 

 breeding in suitable localities throughout all the islands. In 

 Cumbrae the nests are chiefly found along the range of red 

 cliffs to the north of Millport ; but these haunts are likely to 

 become deserted on account of the extension of house-building 

 in that direction. 



SPARROW-HAWK (A emptier nisus). Common. Mr. Alston 

 informs me that a gentleman of his acquaintance told him of 



