WHITE-TAILED SEA-EAGLE. 233 



mile with a musket ball through his body. In the few at- 

 tempts made to domesticate him here, he has been true to his 

 nature, fierce and ruthless." 



In Orkney, according to Mr Low, " this very large species 

 is very often seen, and sometimes surprised on our low shores, 

 feeding on fish, which it has either caught itself, or has been 

 left by the otter. I have often seen it soaring, at a vast height 

 in the air, immediately over a conger or other fish, which has 

 by any accident been left dry by the tide ; and this may shew 

 us the vast strength of this creature's sight, which can take in 

 such a small object at such a great distance." The Great Black- 

 backed Gull soars over a stranded fish in the same manner ; 

 but the object of both birds in so doing is merely to pass the 

 time until, in the absence of enemies in the neighbourhood, 

 they can feast in safety. 



Like the story of the weasel that killed the eagle by fastening 

 on its throat, which has been twenty times repeated, and every 

 time told as new, that of eagles carrying off children has been 

 appropriated in almost every district in the Highlands. Per- 

 haps the story of its sailing to land with a fish in its claws, 

 may be classed with the rest. Such an occurrence undoubtedlv 

 took place, as related above, but who has seen it repeated ? A 

 weasel too may have killed an eagle, and an eagle may have 

 killed or carried oft' a child ; but when and where has this been 

 done a second time I 



I have never seen this bird truly domesticated ; but indivi- 

 duals are frequently kept chained or caged, and some have 

 lived in captivity to a very old age. When thus confined, it 

 loses its timidity, and becomes savage and ferocious, so as 

 readily to attack a dog, a child, or sometimes even a grown 

 person. In this state it may be fed with meat, oftal, or fish. 

 It readily clutches any living animal of small size, and should 

 a piece of meat, a rat, or other article of food be thrown to it, 

 it will often catch it in its mouth, or with one of its feet. On 

 comparing its cry when in this state with that of the Golden 

 Eagle, I have found it louder and shriller. The trachea of 

 both is unossified and very wide, but that of the Sea-Eagle is 

 nearly double the size of that of the other. 



