Well-adapted for Falconry 353 
I have, from time to time, trained to sit on my fist, none has 
shown anything like the power of Bonelli, both to strike violently 
and having struck, to maintain an unyielding clutch of the object 
held for an indefinite time. The thickest buck-skin falconer’s 
glove is of little protection when this Eagle is aggressively in- 
clined. I would much like to enter it to fly at hares, rabbits 
and Partridges and feel well-assured I could succeed in training 
it in a very few weeks, but the certainty that in England it 
would be shot on the very first occasion it got away from me 
prevents my doing so. A trait in its character, which argues 
well for its tractability, is its absence of sulking. Most Eagles 
possess this defect to a marked degree, some almost incurably 
so. When it was six months old, I took it in hand and although 
at first it gave splendid exhibitions of sulks—splendid so far as 
appearance went, as with drooping wings and every feather ex- 
panded and lowered head it endeavoured to shut itself off from me 
and my importunities; but it realized quickly the inutility of such 
conduct. In a very short time it would not only sit on my fist 
but fly to it for food. To a falconer it is easy to see that this 
fine species is eminently adapted, by structure, habits and tempera- 
ment for the successful prosecution of the noble art. Now, after 
eighteen months it will fly to my fist fearlessly. But it resents 
fiercely any interference with its food and will make a furious dash 
at me if in any way annoyed. Hence, as a precautionary measure, 
as with the Eagle Owls, I usually wear a fencing mask when at 
work in the cage. 
As may be easily imagined, the flight of Bonelli’s Eagle is as 
buoyant and quick as it is powerful. I have watched them for 
many years on numerous occasions circling high above some cliff 
where they were nesting or hunting over some suitable tract of 
country, and the ease and grace of their movements at such 
times are suggestive of the flight of a Falcon. At times they 
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