EBD) 
CHAPTER VI. 
THE GOLDEN EAGLE (Aquila chrysaétus). 
Popular ideas of Golden Eagles—Absurd misrepresentations—Preference for 
limestone country — Repugnance to Griffon Vultures—Alternative nesting 
sites—Locating nests—The interest of personal observations—The use 
of paid assistants—A Spanish argument—Partiality to cliffs—But not 
necessarily big ones—Remote spots their chief safeguard—My first Golden 
Eagle’s nest—An easy descent—A useless camera—A seven years record— 
An interesting descent and successful photograph—Other descents and photo- 
graphs—Behaviour of Griffons—The task of locating Golden Eagles’ nests 
—Necessity for careful observation—Results of skilful reconnaissance—A 
joyful sight for a naturalist—Watching Golden Eagles in their haunts— 
A glorious spectacle. 
HE glamour about the name Eagle, 
especially Golden Eagle, makes it 
hard for an ornithologist to avoid 
offending readers who probably 
have exaggerated ideas as to 
Eagles’ size, valour, ferocity and 
general habits. From the earliest 
days classic writers have idealized 
the bird and attributed to it so 
many marvellous qualities that a 
mere narration of a field-naturalist’s 
everyday experiences among these 
splendid birds fall far short of the 
symbolic bird immemoria]]yselected 
by warlike nations as the insignia 
for their standards. 
