peregrine falcon. 
5 
In parts where they are numerous I have known this species taken by traps placed on tto fa ^ 
resting-places in the faces of cliffs or steep mountain-slopes. Some years ago, lenicm >ci ■ & it ig 
the west coast of the Highlands destroying seven in the course of a few weeks by these means. - 
necessary to keep down their numbers on account of their depredations on the game, it is o cucia ' 
safest plan to trap or shoot them at their nesting-quarters. _ f 
The situations usually chosen for breeding-purposes arc either small shelves 01 inequa ltics in ie ace o 
steep rocks, or ledges more or less broken and difficult of approach among the inland mountains have 
never examined any eyrie to which access could be gained without the assistance of a rope. 11 scieia 
different localities it has been possible to look down upon the young, and even to crawl within a short 
distance; hut the situation (in every eyrie I visited) has been, chosen with due regard to safety. "When 
these birds resort to the sea-cliffs, either in the islands or on the coast-line of the mainland, the spot they select 
is generally even more secure from intrusion, the rocks being of greater altitude and frequently perpendicular, 
if not overhanging. 
The nest of this species has been minutely described by some authors, who apparently have been misled 
by the fact that now and then it appropriates the old nurseries of Ravens or even Grey Crows. The 
Peregrine most commonly lays its eggs upon the rubbish and dust or dried strands of grass that ha\c 
accumulated on the ledges it frequents, without the slightest attempt at building. 
Those who have kept these Falcons in confinement could best give information concerning the age at 
which the mature dress is assumed. My own experience is entirely gained by observing the habits of the birds 
in a wild state; and it is seldom possible to obtain a view where all the details or varieties in plumage could 
be accurately judged and studied. From the numbers that I have met with frequenting certain localities, all 
apparently immature, I should be of opinion that they do not pair till the third or fourth year. 
The Plate represents an adult male and the unfledged young. The specimen from which the drawing is 
taken was a remarkably shy and wary old bird, whose daring forays on the Grouse had been a source of 
trouble to the keepers for many years. Regularly every season the female had been trapped ; and on one 
occasion a second and then a third that made her appearance shared the same fate as her predecessors. 
Still the male defied all attempts at capture. The eyrie was on a ledge in the face of a precipice of grey 
and moss-grown rock about one hundred and fifty feet in height. With but slight assistance from a rope 
let down from above it was by no means difficult to reach, as a rough sheep-track led within a few yards of 
a large cavity or fissure beneath overhanging slabs of stone, that stretched, with the exception of a break of 
only four or five feet in width, to the spot where the young were situated. On my first visit, having carefully 
w'atched the arrival of the female, I endeavoured to obtain a shot as she flew off. The work of climbing to the 
upper portion of the grassy slope immediately below the ledge (and within a distance of fifty feet) was soon 
accomplished ; but, owing to the steepness of the ground, I found the attitude I was forced to assume far too 
cramped to use a gun with any certainty. The bird, however, totally disregarded all attempts to drive her off; 
shouts were of no avail ; and it was impossible to pitch up stones, owing to our position immediately below the 
spot. At last, while retracing our steps, she glided from the rock, skimming far down into the valley below 
before she mounted into the air. Then returning at a considerable height, she remained for at least an hour 
flying over our heads, uttering constantly the low scream of rage or anxiety that these birds always give vent 
to when their quarters arc invaded. She never approached within one hundred yards of where we were 
standing; and the male, who shortly after made his appearance, was still more careful. As waiting for the 
chance of a shot seemed useless, the ropes were produced ; and the ledge was speedily reached. The young were 
four in number, covered with a thick white down, and differing but slightly in size. The three smallest were 
taken, and the largest and strongest bird removed a few yards from the open ledge on which they had been 
hatched to a spot below the overhanging rocks, where it was firmly but carefully secured by a string round the 
