346 Bonelli’s Eagle 
drop of several hundred feet to a great talus below. Above the 
terrace are a series of other precipices, whence have fallen masses 
of fractured limestone, fragments of which are perched on the 
terrace or wedged amid the rocks immediately above it. 
On the day previous to visiting this spot we had seen a Bonelli's 
Eagle enter the cliff below some wild olive trees which grew close 
to the edge. From our position on the talus some 600 ft. below it 
was most difficult to be certain of the precise point. After a wide 
detour and a long scramble up steep slopes, round rocky bluffs and 
once right through a big fissure in a cliff, we gained a point above 
the terrace whence a sort of natural staircase led down to our cliff. 
Here we found a rope very useful as a life-line. We were now only 
50 ft. from the olive trees at the edge of the cliff and it was absolutely 
necessary to be certain of the precise spot immediately above the 
nest before attempting to go over the cliff, for it was no place for 
experimental work, Fortunately | had with me a well-drilled party, 
so four of us proceeded as close to the edge as possible, separated 
from one another by 20 ft. intervals. We were thus in a position 
to mark with reasonable accuracy the exact spot the Eagle left 
when put off her nest. My own billet was in an olive tree which 
overhung the cliff and to reach it meant a cautious scramble down 
the sloping talus. To add to our discomfort it was blowing hard 
and the violent gusts of wind compelled me to hold on as if 
aloft at sea. Bad as was my situation, I feel sure that some of 
the others were worse. 
When all was ready, some loose rocks were toppled over the 
edge, which with a pistol-shot caused the Eagle to dash out of 
the cliff. Thanks to our careful arrangements we were able to 
locate the point exactly and no time was lost in making the neces- 
sary preparations for lowering. The nest was designated for my 
companion, Admiral Farquhar, and I must confess to feeling some 
qualms as I saw him disappearing over the brow. Just at the 
