Page:The peregrine falcon at the eyrie (IA cu31924084757206).pdf/51

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AM uncertain whether the famine incident described in the present chapter was due to the Falcon's resentment of the constant presence of spying strangers at the eyrie, and that she voluntarily absented herself for a time in disgust, or that, having been shot, the Tiercel managed to secure the services of another Falcon as a lady-help. The behaviour of the Falcon, as described in Chapter V.,is no guide, because, as previously explained, for purposes of continuity, although chronologically correct as regards the age of the young, most of the incidents described really occurred in 1910, when the tent was twenty-five feet away, and the birds were therefore not subjected to quite so much intrusive inspection.

F. Heatherley's watch, from 12.30 p.m.. May 24th, to 3.30 p.m.. May 25th.—On relieving Booth I found the youngsters with full crops, except the smaller male. As in 1910, one male is distinctly smaller than the other. One female had her crop so distended that she showed purplish skin bare of down, so that it looked like a goitre. The young soon settled off to sleep, flat on their bellies, with both legs stretched out behind them. Only a young male chose the nest depression, the rest lying with their bodies in the sun and their heads in the shade, either of the mallow leaves or rocks. About 1.30 they woke up and a male and female started preening themselves. At 1.40 p.m, they were fed on a passerine bird, brought in his beak by the Tiercel, who alighting on B transferred the bird to his left talons. At 3.45 there was another feed by the Tiercel. The two young females kept in the background during most of this meal, whimpering in a half-hearted way as if they would eat "an they had room." After this meal he jumped on to C and watched the shed narrowly for eight minutes. He stood there with wings slightly open and every feather smooth,