GOLDEN EAGLE. 103 
cavity about midway down the precipice, in a place where the rocks over- 
hung, forming, as it were, a natural roof to the nest. The only way of 
getting to the nest at all practicable was from below; and after giving 
orders to the men, I and a shepherd commenced climbing down the rocks 
to the grassy platform at the base of the cliff. We were able to climb down 
some 400 feet without the aid of ropes, a cool head being all that was 
required ; and when about some hundred feet or so from the eyrie, we 
awaited the arrival of the rope from above which was to assist me to the 
nest. The nest was built on a ledge of the cliffs, in alittle grassy hollow, and 
was made externally almost exclusively of heather and a few large sticks, the 
lining being composed of dried fern-fronds, grass, and moss, in small 
quantities, and large tufts of green herbage. The nest itself was not 
very large nor deep; and the lining-materials were built quite close up to 
the wall of rock behind. The materials of the nest were not much inter- 
woven, although they were very firm and solid. All round and about 
the place, and in the nest itself, were quantities of animal remains, fur and 
feathers, bones and decaying flesh of hares, grouse, and lambs; for 
the two young eaglets were rapidly coming to maturity. They opened their 
mouths, snapped their beaks, and retired to the further end of the nest ; 
yet otherwise seemed to bother themselves little at the intrusion. The nest 
was a somewhat bulky structure too, perhaps some four or five feet in 
diameter. And what a noble view there was to be had! surely the Eagles 
were wise in choosing such a home. As I clung to the grassy face of the 
cliff, stupendous and rugged, every object was taken in at a glance—the 
sea beneath, the sky with its large masses of white clouds, the birds and 
all, even the fleet of herring-boats fishing in the Minch, some twenty 
miles away, and the bleak and rugged peaks of Rum and Canna, whilst 
‘hull down’ on the horizon the Long Island lay in gloomy indistinctness, all 
serving to add a charm and a grandeur to the Eagle’s wild abode. What 
an impressive scene! how wild, and yet how beautiful! Long may the 
Golden Eagle haunt the wild cliffs and mountains of that rugged shore ; 
for so long as he is there the crowning object of its beauty is ensured ! 
Surely it is worth an effort to preserve this last remnant of a noble race—a 
bird which must be so closely connected with the Scotch, their traditions, and 
their literature for all time. Surely the few lambs or fawns the Eagle takes 
is but a cheap price for its preservation and maintenance in the land to which 
it is so noble an ornament. Before it be too late, Scotchmen, protect your 
national bird, the Eagle of your ancestors, and stay the cruel war waged 
by grouse-shooter, deer-stalker, sheep-farmer, and skin-collector—a war 
which will, ere long, play its part but too surely, and take the Eagle from 
your mountains for ever!” 
The eggs of the Golden Eagle are often laid before the snow is off the 
hill-sides; and very beautiful objects they are, varying very much in the 
