VERMIN 125 



the trouble to look after his fallen victim. Few have 

 the slightest idea how destructive he is. As is well 

 known, grouse indigenous to Britain realise a pound per 

 brace, and shooting rents pay a large percentage of 

 local taxes. The peregrine pays neither rent nor taxes, 

 but it would be interesting to ascertain how many 

 grouse at a pound per brace one pair annually destroy. 

 This will never be ascertained, as every grouse killed 

 between February and June means the destruction of 

 a covey ; and, as already mentioned, I have seen them, 

 when catering for their young, bring five grouse to 

 the eyrie in five hours. In the crofter township of 

 Rack wick, in the island of Hoy, the peregrine fre- 

 quently swoops down and carries off domestic chicks 

 close to the cottages. Would any lover of birds tolerate 

 this ? Much as this dashing bird of prey may be 

 admired, his presence must be regretted, though with 

 such spots as the stupendous cliffs of Hoy to breed in 

 it will probably baffle human ingenuity to get rid of 

 them. 



The sparrow-hawk, the merlin, and the kestrel are 

 the only other birds of prey which it is necessary to 

 refer to here, other species being now regarded as 

 rarce aves. The two first mentioned are both very 

 destructive among young game, and it is most essential 

 that they should be kept down. Sparrow-hawks are 

 exceptionally destructive, and whenever they make 

 their appearance in the " warbling grove it is only for 

 the purpose of depredation, and they are gloomy in- 



