A GOLDEN EAGLE. n 



was a difficulty which I had not foreseen, for, though the 

 nest was warmly lined with thick grass and heather, the 

 Eaglets were extremely sensitive to cold. I therefore 

 covered them with my cap while the camera was being 

 arranged, and examined them at frequent intervals to 

 make sure that they were not suffering from the protracted 

 absence of their mother. The arrangements for securing 

 the portrait of the Eagle being complete, a long length 

 of rubber tubing was affixed, and we stopped to examine 

 our handiwork. The camera was now completely 

 hidden among the stones, the lens only being visible. 

 An ultra-rapid plate was inserted and the shutter set to 

 •j^-sec. at F.8, the most rapid speed which could be 

 risked in the failing light. 



We then climbed to the top of the rock and made 

 our way to a sheltered nook nearly a mile down the corrie, 

 from which, with the aid of the glass, we could command 

 a view of the nest. Here we waited for an hour and 

 a half in vain, till suddenly my companion drew my 

 attention to a dark form flapping slowly across the opposite 

 face. The Golden Eagle was returning to her eyrie. 

 Those only who have experienced the fascination of 

 this most exciting form of sport will understand my 

 feelings at this moment. Hope alternated with despair 

 as the Eagle circled round above the nest, then settled 

 on a rock on the opposite side of the corrie. Here she 

 sat motionless for perhaps a quarter of an hour, then, 

 rising again into mid-air, disappeared from sight behind 

 the hills. 



I was now becoming anxious about the young Eagles, 

 and had it not been for the stalker's persuasion should 

 have removed the camera, for the cold was intense and 

 at this elevation, nearly 3,000 feet, snow was extremely 

 probable. The question now arose, was this long 

 absence from the nest part of the Eagle's everyday 

 programme, or was she suspicious of the hidden 

 camera ? Or, perchance, her piercing eyes had discovered 



