^^Q AQUILA CHRYSAETUS. 



*' The female, as is the case with the greater number 

 of birds of prey, is always larger ; the one which is in 

 my possession measured six feet five inches from tip to 

 tip of the wings. It is two feet ten inches from the 

 beak to the tip of the tail, of which length the tail- 

 feathers are ten inches. The middle toe is three inches 

 and a half ; the hind toe three inches, of which lengths 

 the talons upon each are fully an inch and a half in 

 length ; so that the clutch would take in an extent of 

 nearly eight inches in length. 



" Another anecdote occurs to me. The farmer at 

 Glenmark, whose name was Miln, had been out one 

 day with his gun, and coming upon an eagle's nest, he 

 made a noise, to start her and have a shot. She was 

 not at home, however, and so Miln thought he might 

 possibly leave his card. Accordingly, having taken off 

 his shoes, he began to ascend with his gun in his hand. 

 When about half way up, and in a very critical situa- 

 tion, the eagle made her appearance, bringing a plentiful 

 supply to the young which she had in her nest. Quick 

 as thought she darted upon the intruder, with a terrific 

 scream. He was clinging to the rock by one hand, 

 with scarcely any footing. Making a desperate effort, 

 however, he reached a ledge, while the eagle was now so 

 close that he could not shoot at her. A lucky thought 

 struck him : he took off his bonnet and threw it at the 

 eagle, which immediately flew after it to the foot of 

 the rock, and as she was returning to the attack, Miln 

 shot her and made the best of his way down, glad that 

 he had escaped so well. This story has been told me 

 by Miln's son, and I believe it to be true, as I have 

 seen the place where the nest was." 



