EAGLE 



395 



it also docs to a certain extent in the west of Ireland, where, however, 

 fears are entertained of its impending extermination. In the thirteenth 

 century eagles were described as being as common in Ireland as were 

 kites in other countries ; and even up to the middle of the nineteenth 

 century they still bred in considerable numbers among the mountains 

 of Connaught, Munster, and Ulster ; but guns, poison, and the premium 

 offered for skins and eggs have done their fell work only too effectu- 

 ally. In England the species is represented merely by the appearance 

 of an occasional straggler during the autumn. 



MOUNTED IN THE ROWLAND WARD STUDIOS 



So much has been written with regard to the habits of the eagle 

 that a very few lines will suffice on the present occasion. Though 

 by no means the largest member of the group — a full-grown Irish 

 specimen not weighing more than from i i to 12^ lbs. — the golden 

 eagle is one of the boldest and most enterprising of all the larger birds- 

 of-prey; killing and devouring such creatures as grouse, ptarmigan, 

 mountain -hares, lambs, kids, and fawns. The males engage in 

 fierce contests among themselves ; and a fight of this nature once 

 led to the capture of the combatants, whose claws had become so 

 interlocked that separation was impossible by their own unaided 

 efforts. Golden eagles are easily tamed, and in Central Asia are 

 emplo5^ed to capture gazelles, which they effect by alighting on the 

 necks of the unfortunate animals and buffeting them about the head 



