BOUGH NOTES FROM NORTH WALES. 79 



Gorddinan between Dolwyddelen and Festiniog on the other side of the 

 River Lledr, which it crosses at Roman Bridge ; so the moors themselves 

 are quiet enough. The following are the birds that I have thought worthy 

 of remark : — 



The Common Buzzard (Buteo vulgaris) is the most striking bird in the 

 district and holds its own well. It is fairly numerous, and in a long day'a 

 walking after grouse one or two are nearly always to be noticed — probably 

 the same birds always frequent the same beat. They have several eyries in 

 the district, notably on the Rose Quarry or Bettws side of Moel Siabod 

 mountain, also on the side of Benar, opposite Dolwyddelen. I have seen 

 more than one in captivity, taken when young in the nest, and their egga 

 may sometimes be seen in the cottages on the hills. 



There seems to be an idea that the Common Buzzard does not harm the 

 game, but I have been informed by a keeper that he has himself taken two 

 freshly-killed young grouse from the ledge of rock where a Buzzard was 

 nesting — which seems rather damning evidence. 



No one, however, ought to wish for a few more grouse at the expense of 

 the disappearance of this splendid bird, which is not likely to be extermi- 

 nated at present owing to the inaccessibility of its eyrie. 



This is not always the case, as I saw one nesting place which was 

 perfectly easily reached, and from which I understand one nestling is taken 

 every year. 



To see one of these big birds, which look enormous on the wing, sitting 

 motionless on the top of a rock watching you straggling across the moor, and 

 when you get about a hundred yards off slowly flapping away, is a very fine 

 sight. They will seldom allow you to come within gun-shot, and I only 

 recollect one instance when I could certainly have kdled one. On that 

 occasion we came round a sharp corner and surprised a huge fellow feeding 

 on a recently deceased sheep ; it was slow in getting up and could not have 

 been more than about ten yards away from us ; partly from surprise, chiefly, 

 I hope, from charity, we did not fire. 



From what I have been told I am inclined to think that they may do 

 more harm to the grouse than is generally suspected, and from what I have 

 seen I am certain that they will feed on the carcases of sheep — not uncommon 

 objects on the hills. 



Peregrine Falcon (F. peregrinus). — I have no evidence that the peregrine 

 breeds in the district, but it is occasionally seen, and I am informed on good 

 authority that there are at present three of these birds to be seen on the 

 north side of the river Lledr, near Dolwyddelen. 



The Merlin (Falco zesalon (and the Kestrel (Falco linnunculus) are the 

 only other Hawks that have come directly under my notice. The latter is 



