30 



OSPREY OR FISH HAWK [Pandion haliaHus). 



Though formerly said to breed on the north coast of England and 

 in the Lake District, the eyries of the species are confined to a few 

 places in Scotland. In autumn a considerable number occur in various 

 parts, especially estuaries of large rivers and inland lakes. The food 

 consists entirely of fish, and the spiky soles and powerful talons of the 

 feet enable it to hold the fish securely. The favourite breeding haunt is a 

 forest, with water in the vicinity where fish abound. The large nest is 

 placed in a tree or on some ruin near an inland lake. The eggs are very 

 finely marked, ground colour white sometimes entirely hidden by red or 

 purple blotches which congregate at the larger end of the egg (see 

 British Bird Egg Cabinet, drawer 9). 



Case 189. 



GOLDEN EAGLE {Aquila chry septus). 



The proprietors of deer-forests now afford protection to this grand 

 bird of prey, with the result that they have increased greatly during 

 recent years. Its breeding places are confined to the Highlands of 

 Scotland, the Hebrides and the north and west of Ireland, but in 

 exceptionally severe winters it sometimes visits the south of Scotland 

 and very rarely, England. One was recorded near Furness Abbey in 

 1815 (Dunsford, " Birds of Walney "). It preys upon mountain hares, 

 lambs and even young red deer, also grouse and ptarmigan. The nest, 

 built of sticks and dead heather, lined with coarse grass and bits of 

 scotch fir, is usually placed on some inaccessible ledge on a cliff and 

 occasionally in a tree. The greyish-white eggs, blotched more or less 

 with reddish-brown and lilac (see British Bird Egg Cabinet, drawer 9), 

 are laid early in April, and the young are on the wing early in August. 



Case 190. 



GANNET OR SOLAN GOOSE {Sula bassana). 



This species is found throughout British waters during the autumn 

 and winter months, when it may frequently be seen in Liverpool Bay. 

 In spring it repairs in countless numbers to some isolated rock to breed. 

 The most noted breeding colonies are Lundy Island, Grassholme, off 

 Pembrokeshire, Ailsa Crag, off the Butt of Lewis, Boreray (St. Kilda), 

 the Bass Rock, the Bull Rock, off Co. Cork, and the Little Skelhg. 

 Fish, which are caught by plunging, often from a great height, form its 

 food. Only one egg, of a pale blue overlaid with a chalky white coating 

 (see British Bird Egg Cabinet, drawer 10), is laid in a nest made of 

 seaweed and grass The young, naked when hatched, soon become 



