THE PEREGRINE 



255 



the vile habit of incessant screaming, and to be hot, bad- 

 tempered birds. The nest should be carefully watched with 

 a glass from some coign of vantage until all the down which 

 at first clothes the nestlings is seen to be replaced by brown 

 feathers, and, when this is the case, the birds may be taken. 



A peregiines eyrie 



This should be done, if possible, towards evening. They 

 should be placed upon long straw (not upon hay), in a hamper 

 v,ell lined with canvas, and sent off at once to the falconer, so 

 that they may accomplish as much of their journey as possible 

 during the night. No food should be placed in the hamper 

 unless the journey is likely to be a very long one, and great 



