Page:The peregrine falcon at the eyrie (IA cu31924084757206).pdf/45

 25 and other flies with which the eyrie is infested. But the flies have gone to bed, and the youngsters have since dozed serenely. 7.15 p.m.: One of the old birds has suddenly alighted on point B with a sharp "Hack" and an unplucked puffin in his talons. I fancy it is headless, but there is no mistaking its webbed feet. He jumps down into the eyrie with it still in his talons, and commences to tear pieces off it for the young, who quickly rise to the occasion (by the way, one is much smaller than the others), and they appear to be hungry. The old bird is apparently the Tiercel by his colour, and more particularly by his smaller size and general build. When he had fed them for nearly a quarter of an hour the Falcon appeared overhead—or, rather, I should say I heard her "Hek, hek" overhead. Shortly afterwards the Tiercel, who was now getting cross with the young for not taking his proffered snacks as quickly as he offered them, corrected them with sharp "hacks" or "yacks," and then flew away, I thought, to join the Falcon, who was still crying. He had left part of the puffin behind him, which I see is headless. At 7.45 p.m, the Tiercel returned, and gave the young a little more of the puffin. As before, on the few occasions when he tore a large piece of flesh off, or when a whole leg came away, he swallowed it himself. He then tried to brood them, but although only about a week old, they are getting too large.

All was quiet now except when an outside chick tried to get more under its father's breast. At 8.35 p.m., as I was writing, I was suddenly aroused by a low, querulous growling "Hurr-r-r-r," and, looking up, saw the Tiercel advancing with a curious parrotlike rolling gait, with neck forward and head low and neck-feathers raised—evidently very angry—emitting the "Hurring" sound all the time, as if going to meet some intruder against whom he was to defend his home and young. All this was directed against the Falcon, who came into sight walking down rock A, and dragging in one foot a plucked and skinned large bird's breast, showing only red meat. He jumped up on to the rock to her and took it, or, rather, snatched it, from her, still making this curious jarring noise, which seemed equivalent to cursing in English, as though he resented her being so late and disturbing his rest. Her size was notably greater than his. She gave a hurried glance at