GOLDEN EAGLE. 211 



his descent ; but now, curving upwards, he glides majestically 

 along. As he passes the corner of that buttressed and battle- 

 mented crag, forth rush two ravens from their nest, croaking 

 fiercely. While one flies above him, the other steals beneath, 

 and they essay to strike him, but dare not, for they have an in- 

 stinctive knowledge of the power of his grasp, and after follow- 

 ing him a little way they return to their home, vainly exulting 

 in the thought of having driven him from their neighbourhood. 

 Bent on a far journey, he advances in a direct course, flapping 

 his great wings at regular intervals, then shooting along with- 

 out seeming to move them. In ten minutes he has progressed 

 three miles, although he is in no haste, and now disappears 

 behind the shoulder of the hill. But we may follow him in 

 imagination, for his habits being well known to us, we maybe 

 allowed the ornitholomcal license of tracinof them in continu- 

 ance. Homeward bound, his own wants satisfied, he knows 

 that his young must be supplied with food. 



Over the moors he sweeps, at the height of two or three hun- 

 dred feet, bending his course to either side, his wings wide- 

 spread, his neck and feet retracted, now beating the air, and 

 again sailing smoothly along. Suddenly he stops, poises him- 

 self for a moment, stoops, but recovers himself without reach- 

 ing the ground. The object of his regards, a Golden Plover, 

 which he had spied on her nest, has eluded him, and he cares 

 not to pursue it. Now he ascends a little, wheels in short 

 curves, presently rushes down headlong, assumes the horizon- 

 tal position when close to the ground, prevents his being dashed 

 against it by expanding his wings and tail, thrusts forth his 

 talons, and grasping a poor terrified ptarmigan that sat cower- 

 ing among the grey lichens, squeezes it to death, raises his 

 head exultingly, emits a clear shrill cry, and springing from the 

 ground pursues his journey. 



In passing a tall cliff that overhangs a small lake, he is as- 

 sailed by a fierce Peregrine Falcon, which darts and plunges 

 at him, as if determined to deprive him of his booty, or drive 

 him headlong to the ground. This proves a more dangerous 

 foe than the Raven, and the Eagle screams, yelps, and throws 

 himself into postures of defence ; but at length, the hawk, see- 



