Zoology, 279 



years ago, and was at that time in its adult plumage, so that 

 its age cannot be ascertained, which has during this last sum- 

 mer produced three eggs. The eagle is confined under shel- 

 ter of some fir trees, with a strap and cord about 20 yards in 

 length. The bird appeared unwell during several days previous 

 to laying the first egg, squatting close to the ground under 

 the low branches of a fir tree during the greater part of the 

 day, and taking but little food : it also formed a sort of nest 

 on the ground with grass which it plucked up with its beak. 

 It showed great symptoms of anger on any person's approach ; 

 spreading the wings, erecting the feathers, and at the same 

 time uttering a low whining note. I had yet no suspicion of 

 what was going on; but on the third or fourth day, still 

 thinking the bird unwell, as it continued on the ground the 

 greater part of the day, I determined on seizing hold of it to 

 examine its condition; on lifting it, which the bird suffered 

 me very passively to do, I perceived, to my great surprise, an 

 egg. An eagle's ^gg not being very easily obtained, I took 

 immediate possession of it. In the course of four days being 

 during that time almost constantly on its nesting-place, it laid 

 two other eggs, one day intervening between each egg. The 

 eggs are the size of a goose egg, much rounded at both ends, 

 of a bluish white colour, with a few faint-coloured rusty 

 streaks, the shell thick and strong. A few days after laying 

 the third egg, the eagle recovered its usual appetite and 

 vigour. — J. D, Hoy, Stoke Nayland, Suffblky Nov, 28. 1831. 

 A young Eagle (the species I am unacquainted with), which 

 was wounded in the wing, has been kept for some time at 

 Thrumpton Hall, the seat of J. E. Westcombe, Esq. It 

 was obtained by a gentleman of this neighbourhood, whilst 

 shooting over the moors in Scotland. It was kept in front 

 of the mansion, under some large trees, chained by the leg 

 to a tub ; and was fed on rabbits, and birds of all descrip- 

 tions. When I saw it, it was in full feather, and very fierce. 

 I understand it has since been destroyed, and in the follow- 

 ing manner. Having obtained its liberty, it flew to a gate, 

 some distance from its place of confinement, where a public 

 footpath came through. A foot passenger (a stranger to 

 the place, and consequently not knowing the bird,) wishing 

 to pass through, the bird seemed determined to dispute 

 the passage, and offered battle; the man, in self-defence, 

 struck the royal bird over the crown, and caused almost 

 immediate death, by fracturing the skull. Its domicile is 

 now occupied by another ; which, it is hoped, will not meet 

 with so tragical a fate as did its predecessor. — Scolopax nis- 

 ticola, Chilwellj Notts, Oct, 21, 1831, 



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