128 



semi-tame birds. The secret of the health in 

 which the whole collection is maintained, lies 

 partly in the construction of the cages, and 

 partly in the food given to the birds. Anyone 

 who desires to keep even a single eagle in 

 captivity should examine the Mottisfont cages. 

 They are divided into front and back chambers, 

 but the latter are partly dark and so screened 

 from the outside view, that the bird can secure 

 absolute quiet if it desires it. It is also 

 sheltered from cold, wet, and wind. Outside, 

 instead of having the damp ground as the 

 floor of the cage, the eagles live above a 

 wooden platform set 31 feet from the ground. 

 This platform is dry and solid, and allows no 

 damp to lie on it. The eagles consequently do 

 not damp their wing and tail feathers, or con- 

 tract cramps and chills as they would on cold 

 concrete. Above this are perches of natural 

 branches, and on these the eagles sit sunning 

 themselves, and surveying the charming land- 

 scape sloping down to the Abbey and across 

 the wide valley of the Test. On a stormy 

 day they may be seen, for hours together, with 

 out-stretched flapping wings, screaming at the 

 pitch of their voices as if they well understood 

 what a joy it would be to them to sail off into 

 the unknown world beyond. 



