THE WHITE-TAILED EAGLE 23 



snatches the fish basking on the surface and conveys them 

 to land to be devoured at leisure. When carrion is scarce 

 he has to seek for other food, and captures the Ducks and 

 Water-fowl, stealing on them unawares. Daily he may be 

 seen in one particular tree watching the bustling crowd of 

 Ducks on the water, and patiently waiting in the hope that 

 they will rise and offer an easy chance of capture. 



There can be no doubt that the AVhite-tailed Eagle pairs 

 for life. Season after season the same nest is used, beino- 

 patched up and renovated every spring. The breeding season 

 is early, but as a rule a little later than that of the Golden 

 Eagle. In exceptionally early years I have known its eggs 

 to be laid by the middle of March, whilst in backward 

 seasons they are not laid before April. The site for the nest 

 differs a good deal, and depends greatly upon the character- 

 istics of the bird's haunt. Where rocks are scarce and low 

 the nest is often built in some large tree, or if rocks and trees 

 are both absent, some small island in a quiet lake amongst 

 the hills is selected. But the usual situation is on the 

 stupendous cliffs, especially those which overhang the sea. I 

 know of eyries that are absolutely inaccessible, and the birds 

 have reigned in undisturbed possession of them for years. 

 During the breeding season the old birds may be seen daily 

 sailing high in air above their ancient stronghold — a fitting 

 ornament to its rugged splendour. It may only be the 

 witching force of fancy, but to my mind the cliffs that con- 

 tain an Eagle's nest seem the grandest in the whole district, 

 and the ones from wdiich the best view can be obtained. 

 Whilst standing in this White-tailed Eagle's nest, let me try 

 and convey to the reader a little of the charm that surrounds 

 it. Ear down below are the green w^aters of the restless 

 sea. On every side and towering far above our heads are 

 the beetling cliffs, crag beyond crag, clothed with greenest 

 herbage, and here and there broken up into grassy banks. On 



