Page:The peregrine falcon at the eyrie (IA cu31924084757206).pdf/43

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Y sharing our opportunities at the eyrie with friends, King and I in return received much valuable help. Not the least of these advantages was the ability, by means of a constant succession of lodgers, of keeping the birds under constant observation for thirteen days in succession. Although H. B. Booth apparently thought it necessary to provide himself with a camera of the press-the-button variety in order to qualify for a night's lodging, he really showed us how watching ought to be done, and incidentally the want of windows at the side and back of the shed. He disapproves of my habit of using the adjective peregrine as a substantive. As he has also sinned in this respect, I did not think it tactful to allow him to revise his rough notes, which, written on the spot, give a graphic impression which could only be dimmed by polishing.

H. B. Booth's watch from 6.5 p.m., May 23rd, to 11.25 a.m., May 24th, as copied from his rough field notes.

Atkinson came up with me to "Peregrine Hotel" to relieve Edmondson, who reported that the Tiercel had been feeding strongly, having brought several birds, including a thrush, during the last two hours. It is strange that with this pair, and possibly with all Peregrines for anything I know, the male is the more courageous, and feeds the young in spite of this wooden structure being erected on the cliff-side, not three yards from the eyrie. It is exactly the opposite with the sparrow hawk as far as division of labour is concerned. At 6.5 p.m, my two friends bade me "Good night," and went down to the boat to return home, and I am left to soliloquise and take in my bearings. "Peregrine Hotel," as we are all instructed to call it, is best described as a large box or glorified packing case about seven feet long by four feet wide and four feet deep, resting insecurely on trestles, but well lashed to the