m BRITISH BIRDS. [vol. vi. 



[Translation of Sibbald] 



CONCERNING BIRDS. 



Chapter i. 

 of birds in general. 



. . . Certain of them migrate, others do not depart or hide 

 themselves far away from the places they usually frequent. 



Chapter ii. 



OF the carnivorous land birds. 

 . . . The Eagle places its nest in steep and inaccessible places, 

 such as the highest rocks or trees, so that it maj^ not be dis- 

 turbed by hunters or hostile beasts, and that its young may 

 be the more securely guarded from any harm. When hunting 

 for its prey it despises the smaller and attacks the larger 

 animals such as kids* and fawns. The learned Matthew 

 Mackaile, a chemist of Aberdeen, informs me that there are 

 very many Eagles in the western parts of the main island of 

 Orkney, which is called Pomona, as is also the case in the 

 Island of Hoy, and that one of them seized an infant of a year 

 old, wrapped up in a shawl, which his mother had laid doA\'n 

 for a moment at a spot called Houton-head, while she was 

 collecting peats for the fire, and carried him to Hoy, a distance 

 of some four miles, which event being made kno\\'n by the 

 shrieks of the mother, four men set off in a small boat, and 

 knowing where the nest was, they recovered the infant, 

 untouched and unhurt. 



The Eagles which are found among us are, as I am informed ; 



Chrysaetos [the Golden Eagle], which derives its name 

 from the yellow colour of its plumage. 



Haliseetus, the Sea Eagle or Ospray. 



Melanseetos, in one of the Orkney Islands. 



Pygargus Hinnularius (so called because according to 

 Turnerf it preys on fawns), an Erne [the White-tailed 

 Eagle]. 



The smaller diurnal birds of prey are called Accipitres : 

 these are either of the more noble kind which are wont to be 

 tamed and trained for Hawking, or of the baser and more 

 cowardly sort, which eithei- because they cannot be taught, 

 or are but of little use for Hawking are neglected by man. 



* Literally " wild she-goats." 



t William Turner (1500-68) author of Avium Prcecipuarum brevis <b 

 succincta Jiistoria, Cologne, 1544. Turner says " Pygargus, if I err not, 

 in the English tongue is called an Erne." 



