CATALOGUE OF BIRDS. 7 1 



in mountainous regions, but often on a tree and 

 occasionally on the ground, is a large platform of 

 sticks, lined with softer materials and the fresh tufts 

 of the wood rush. The eggs, laid early in April, 

 are usually two, and sometimes three, in number. 

 Some are dull greyish-white or mottled-buff while 

 others are streaked and blotched, and often richly 

 suffused with every shade of reddish-brown and 

 lilac, etc. Food : mountain hares, lambs, grouse, 

 and other birds, occasionally fawns, and the calves of 

 red deer, nor does it despise carrion when pressed 

 by hunger." 



The Duke of Argyle's keeper told me that in an 

 eyrie of this species on Ben More, the highest 

 mountain in Mull, they found a lamb, seven hares, 

 and a brace of grouse. The parents evidently 

 intended their young shouldn't starve. This pair of 

 eagles were most religiously preserved by the Duke. 



The fine specimen in the case was obtained 

 through the agency of the taxidermist in Scotland, 

 who had done a good deal of work for me. The 

 bird came into his hands from a keeper. I believe 

 it had been caught in a trap set for a fox, and in 

 any case would have to have been destroyed. 



This species has a very wide range abroad, 

 extending to three or four continents where 

 mountains and forest growth predominate. " Over 

 this vast area considerable variations in size and 

 plumage are observed " (H.S.). 



