40 
FALCONIM. 
feeding them is requisite, otherwise they get a “ taint,” or want 
of full development of the feathers, which is evinced by a light 
marking on the colour of the tail and quills, and what is not so 
apparent, though of much more consequence, a weakness in the 
shaft of the feather at the place. My informant believes this 
taint to be apparent in the feather, in consequence of even one 
day’s “ starvation.” Not only are the tails of birds badly fed 
tainted by a lighter marking than ordinary, but the wings will 
not attain within an inch and half of the length they should do ; 
a most important point with regard to their power of flight. 
Eyries in the south-west of Scotland, where Mr. Sinclaire has 
of late years chiefly resided, have been likewise in requisition to 
supply him with these birds. The inland cliffs of the finely - 
formed mountain of Knockdolian, in Ayrshire, called by seamen 
the “ Ealse Craig,” from its being occasionally mistaken for Ailsa, 
thus paid tribute in 1839. Others are: — at Ailsa; one, in the 
neighbourhood of the town of Ayr; two, in sea-cliffs near Ballantrae, 
the one about five miles northward, and the other, four miles 
southward of it ; also, two in sea-cliffs to the north and south of 
Portpatrick ; — in all seven eyries. Occasionally, both in Ireland 
and Scotland, I have had the pleasure of witnessing flights with 
these hawks. It is truly a beautiful and interesting sight, to 
behold the intelligent bird sweeping boldly overhead, and follow- 
ing its master, the comparative slowness of whose motion sadly 
taxes its patience. It will alight on the ground, on a stone, 
or other eminence, be it small or great, to await his coming. The 
most convenient that presented itself, in an open space of moor 
near Ballantrae, on one of the last days that I was so engaged, 
was the back of a greyhound, which was accordingly appropriated, 
as the backs of the setters very frequently are. The hawk was at 
some distance when the first grouse was sprung and shot, but the 
report of the gun brought it instantly to the spot, when it alighted 
on the wounded bird. The training evinced by the falcon’s thus 
speeding to the place whence the report of the gun proceeds, is 
highly interesting. 
A covey of partridges was soon afterwards raised, and the hawk 
