244 'Wirksh/n' Xa/iini/is/s <il Flamlyonmgh. 



The sij^-ht of the iiumi'rous colonies of tlie common Linnet in 

 Danes' Dyke and other suitable localities, was j^reatly enjoyed by 

 members from other parts of the county, where the ranks of this 

 delig^htful little bird ha\e been sadly thinned by the rascally 

 bird catcher. 



A few scatteied pairs of Stonechals were noted, and also a few 

 pairs of Rock Pipits, and the call of the Corn Bunting was heard 

 in almost every field. The comparatixe scarcity of all species 

 of Titmice was remarked upon, althouii;"h a i^ood deal of time 

 was spent in rather unsuitable places for seeing- them. No Tree 

 Sparrows were observed about their haunts in the clififs during 

 the period of the excursion, but upon Tuesday and Wednesday, 

 when the wind had abated, they were much in evidence, as were 

 also the Pipits. A Kestrel's nest seen in a wooded ravine 

 contained five very finely marked eggs. 



The great treat was observing the sea birds. Looking down 

 from the cliff tops \ast multitudes of Guillemots, Razorbills, 

 and Puffins were seen. Four sets of ' dimmers ' were following 

 their occupation, their methods greatly interesting the members. 

 A discussion as to whether the (iuillemots, etc., were as 

 numerous as formerly had to be abandoned owing to the 

 magnitude of the numbers under consideration, but all the 

 climbers complain that the\' are not getting as many eggs as 

 formerly, more especially are the better marked varieties 

 scarcer. A search was made for the \ariety known as the 

 Ringed Guillemot, but although only a single bird was identified 

 diu'ing the excursion, the president observed several in the 

 course of the following fortnight. 



The chief feature of interest was that, after an absence of a 

 ((uarter of a century, a pair of Peregrine Falcons has taken up 

 its abode in the cliffs again. Owing to the number of people 

 about upon Bank Holiday, the birds were not seen after the early 

 morning, but on the following day the male and female were 

 seen and the position of the eyrie located ; a descent was made 

 to the nest on the Wednesday, and it was found to contain 

 three young ones well feathered. It is hoped that these fine 

 falcons may be allowed to remain and nest in security in the 

 cliffs for many years ; the fact of their presence adds greatly to 

 the interest of naturalists visiting the localit}-. The birds are 

 protected b\- law, and the \V'ild Birds' Protection Committee 

 of the Union has made arrangements to see the law is carried 

 out, and have promised a reward to the climbers if the birds 

 successfulix l)ring dIT their voung, or in case anyone robbing the 



Naturalist, 



