4 
KESTREL. 
who had come on purpose to take the young (for which they had already obtained a market as Peregrine 
Ealcons at North Berwick), had previously paid several visits to the nest. The descent to the ledge had been 
effected by the aid of a piece of old rotten clothes-line, which, under the threat ol prosecution for appropriating 
the traps, the terrified juveniles confessed they had stolen from a house on the East Links. The tameness of 
the female was probably due to the number of times she had been inspected while sitting, though it appears 
strange she had put up with such frequent interruption. With a leg and a wing broken (she had been in both 
traps) it was necessary to kill the poor bird at once. As I still required the male I returned the young to 
their nesting-place, reset the traps, and then retired a short distance to keep watch. In less than half an 
hour he came in with a large rat, and was secured.” 
Rats were in those days very numerous in the neighbourhood of Canty Bay. If I remember right, the 
natives attributed their presence to some old vessels that had been wrecked along the coast. The 
surrounding country for several miles was also remarkably well stocked with these destructive animals. It 
was no uncommon occurrence for the ratcatcher, when paying his periodical visits to the farm-steadings, to 
destroy between three and four hundred by means of traps or ferrets. The benefits conferred by Kestrels 
in such a country could not be overestimated. With the single exception of the above-mentioned family, 
required as specimens, I have always used my utmost endeavours to protect this useful species from persecution. 
I noticed that on overy occasion, when visiting the spot, I found the female on the nest. The male 
was observed carrying prey to the rock ; but I did not see him take his part in the labour of incubation. 
