68 FALCONID.E. 



spite of the herons, have borne off the contents of the nest any 

 time, were the prey not too bulky for his purpose. 



Mr. B. Langtry has not only observed a wild sparrow-hawk 

 strike his sea eagles when perching on their sheds ; but when his 

 golden eagle was on wing, has seen one of these birds strike it in 

 passing, and once even witnessed the hawk's turning back and 

 repeating the impertinence. 



Nest. — An ornithological friend, on climbing a tree, at the 

 Falls, to one of their nests, was, when within a few yards of it, 

 attacked by the female bird, and his cap, at one stroke, sent to 

 the ground. He speedily followed it, lest the next stroke should 

 be on his bare head ; but replacing the cap more firmly on, he 

 gallantly remounted to the nest, which he had been almost daily 

 in the habit of visiting, and was gratified with the sight of four 

 young birds, that day hatched. The boldness of the parent was 

 now accounted for. The young were described as beautiful in 

 their first garb of snow-white down. Early in the month of June 

 they generally make their appearance. A pair of these birds inha- 

 bited a wooded glen there, in which they bred regularly for many 

 years, until one of them was trapped, when its partner deserted 

 the place : had this happened in the breeding season, another mate 

 would doubtless have been found, that the great duty of the period 

 might be proceeded with. The locality for some years from that time 

 was tenanted instead by a pair of kestrels. Sparrow-hawks again 

 resumed occupation, and the kestrels in consequence took their 

 departure, though it might be imagined that, in an extent of wooded 

 glen of fully a quarter of a mile, there would be room enough for a 

 pair of each species ; but even the smaller birds of prey prefer 

 to have a considerable range. When they are more numerous than 

 ordinary, we may be pretty sure that their prey is likewise so : — 

 the balance of nature will be kept up. Although the trees generally 

 are old and large, one nest here was not more than six feet 



* A pair for many years frequented the plantations at Fort William, near 

 Belfast, and though one of them was several times shot, no matter whether male 

 or female fell victim, the survivor was, invariably, soon provided with another 

 mate. 



