IJVD(JSTRIS OF ANIMALS. 



599 



birds of prey. The eyrie generally consists of a mass of dry 

 branches which cross and mutually support one another, consti- 

 tuting a whole which is fairly resistant. 



Even these primitive nests are not, however, without more 

 complicated details of interest. Thus Mr. Denis Gale wrote to 



i'lii. 4. TiiK Stickleback and its Nest. 



Bendire concerning the golden eagle in America : " Here in Col- 

 orado, in the numerous glades running from the valleys into the 

 foothills, high, inaccessible ledges are quite frequently met with 

 which afford the eagles secure sites for their enormous nests. I 

 know of one nest that must contain two wagon-loads of material. 

 It is over seven feet high, and quite six feet wide on its upper sur- 



