74 THE ORNITHOLOGIST'S GUIDE 



from ten to fifteen of the Arctic Gulls attack an 

 Eagle and beat him from their habitations. 



Falco Peregrinus, Linn. Peregrine Falcon. 

 — This beautiful species, which surpasses most of 

 its congeners in courage and daring intrepidity, is 

 pretty numerous about the Shetland Islands, but 

 is confined to certain districts. It selects the 

 most mountainous parts, where it can settle on the 

 shelving rocks of the stupendous cliffs, and breed 

 in security in the midst of plenty ; it is rare that 

 more than a single pair have their nest on the same 

 cliff, or even near to each other. I once found two 

 pairs during the breeding-season on Noss Head or 

 Hang Cliff; and a better place they could not have 

 chosen, from the security it affords and the abun- 

 dance of food which the nests of the sea-birds, 

 abounding in the same rocks, supply them with. 

 During my visits I captured several specimens of 

 the Peregrine Falcon, and also procured some of 

 their eggs. It is a shy bird and difficult to get within 

 shot of. I have repeatedly laid wait for it on the 

 tops of the cliffs and observed it flying slowly 

 along the face of the rocks immediately below me, 

 but out of distance, watching the opportunity du- 

 ring the absence of the Herring Gulls and Kitte- 

 wakes, to pick a young one from their nests, 



