96 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
the two sent are those of LZ. canus: quite the character. They 
might be small eggs of the Lesser Blackback.” 
I must adopt the latter suggestion, for, after four times 
visiting the Saltees in May and June, and receiving reports of 
other visits from observant friends, I have looked out for the 
L. canus or its eggs on such occasions, and enquired for it in 
vain. It seems only to visit this part of Ireland in autumn and 
winter, especially when stormy weather sets in. 
But we now come to the noblest bird of the Saltees. Ata 
point where the cliffs are highest and thickly tenanted with bird- 
life the Peregrine Falcon, sallies forth from her eyrie with rapidly 
repeated clamouring cry echoed from the rocky heights. 
She takes her steady course through the air above us, her 
dark pointed wings quickly vibrating, and the black cheek 
patch giving her face a weird appearance. On scrutinising the 
cliff whence we started her, a little cavern may be seen in its 
earthy and stony face, immediately over which a Razorbill is 
hatching in its nook, while others sit around in close proximity. 
This little cavern contains three white things which, with a glass, 
are seen to be young Peregrines in down, who presently make 
themselves heard, on which their parent flies close above us with 
intense cries. 
I describe the scene that was before me on the 26th May. 
We found feathers of Corn Crake and fur of rabbits at the Pere- 
grine’s plucking place over the eyrie, and on a former occasion 
the bleached leg of a hedgehog. 
Young Peregrines are usually hatched in the Co. Waterford 
early in May, but on the 25th April last I found, in a long- 
frequented eyrie on the coast, two young newly hatched, an egg 
just chipping, and an addled egg. In the high mountains the 
eggs are not laid until the end of April. 
IT have not landed on the north Saltee Island. Its surface 
is chiefly pastured and tilled in places, and it contains no such 
cliffs as those of the South Island. Not being so suited for 
them, sea fowl do not appear to make it their breeding resort 
in any large numbers. 
Birds observed on the South Saltee.—The species marked + 
are believed to breed on the island. Of those marked * the 
