The Sparrowhawk 177 
4d 
for in my wanderings in the sylvan districts | now and again come 
across one. The first nest I found was on 8 May 1878 in the 
disused nest of a Booted Eagle, near the summit of a very tall 
ivy-covered oak. It contained three beautifully marked eges, which 
I have in my collection. 
Three years previously the Booted Eagles had occupied this 
same nest. The tree itself was practically unclimbable without 
ropes, owing to its great size. Thanks, however, to the masses 
of encircling ivy I was able to overcome this difficulty and obtain 
a lodgment at a point where the girth of the tree permitted of 
regular climbing. With the memories of this climb. still fresh 
within me, I would advise all who essay to climb big trees by 
the aid of ivy stems to be extremely careful how they depend 
upon these for support, for they are extremely treacherous, and it 
at times happens that seemingly strong and healthy ivy stems 
upon being put to a strain snap off like carrots. 
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