An Ornithological Exploration. i43 



On June ivSt, acconipanied by Mr. Brooke, we drove into 

 an elevated mountain tract on the north side of the pen- 

 insula, where we met the Golden Plover whistling in its 

 breeding-haunts. We were led to a range of mountain-cliffs 

 whence Mr. Brooke had obtained eggs of Choughs this year. 

 It was the first inland breeding-place of this species I had 

 seen, a fissure in the face of a high rough cliff, overlooking 

 a valley that led down to a gorge in another range about a 

 mile off, through an opening in which we could see the still 

 more distant sea. Choughs were heard by us in another glen, 

 in the cliffs of which we were told they breed, about a mile 

 from the sea. 



Beside a lonely lake in these mountain wilds was a solitary 

 cottage with a few Elders beside it, the only attempt at bushes. 

 There we were surprised to see the Spotted Fly-catcher, a bird 

 associated with more luxuriant scenes, but we found it here 

 and there through Western Donegal during our tour. We 

 then ascended and crossed one of the highest mountains in 

 the district, and while doing so we beheld a Golden Eagle 

 come flying along, almost over us, pertinaciously pursued 

 by a pair of croaking Ravens, one of which continued to 

 make stoops at it from above, apparently striking it at times. 

 Besides the Ravens we saw a small falcon, probably a Merlin, 

 making repeated stoops at the Eagle. The latter continued 

 to fly steadily along with an occasional flap of its enormous 

 wings, whose upcurved primaries were distinguishable. It 

 passed away still pursued by the Ravens. 



We then visited the Eagle's nest from which had been taken a 

 single Qgg in April. On the further slope of the mountain we 

 found avast deep coombe containing a good-sized and evidently 

 very deep lake, beyond which, beneath another great descent, 

 lay the sea. The rugged slope below us led down to a 

 precipice which overlooked the lake. Each of us then 

 descended with the rope round him, and having passed an 

 overhanging piece of rock that formed a canopy, came at once 

 to the recess in which was built the huge nest. It was a 

 broad platform of coarse heather-stems which here grow to a 

 great size and were bare, probably having been built into the 

 foundation of the nest for years. There was no cavity in it, 

 but the top or bed for the eggs consisted of dried tufts of 

 Wood-rush. I found the cranium of a Hare and a feather of 



