A GOLDEN EAGLE. 13 



movements. At this distance it was impossible to see 

 exactly what she was doing, but we both agreed that 

 she was tending the young, probably feeding them on 

 the remains of the rabbit which we had noticed, for, 

 as it turned out, she had brought no fresh food with her 

 to the nest. She then settled herself down, and we 

 gave her twenty minutes to warm up the Eaglets. Then 

 began one of the most exciting stalks in my experience. 

 The first part was easy enough, and we progressed 

 noiselessly along the skyline above the eyrie without 

 fear of arousing her suspicions. On reaching the top 

 of the rock I took off my shoes, and began to descend 

 with the utmost caution. A single false step or a rolling 

 stone might arouse her suspicions and render the whole 

 of our labour fruitless. All, however, went well, although 

 at one moment the ready hand of my companion arrested 

 the progress of a stone, which my elbow had moved, 

 only just in time. Below me, scarcely ten feet beyond 

 my reach, the bulb connected with the shutter lay, 

 and as yet the Eagle had not taken the alarm. Some- 

 where below us, glaring outwards over the abyss, she 

 was brooding (Plate 3) her young, faithful to her duty, 

 her fierce eye watching the far side of the corrie 

 lest any foe should come near. At length the bulb was 

 in my hand, but even as I leaned forward to grasp 

 it I lost my balance and slipped towards the abyss. 

 A firm grip on my ankles from behind saved me 

 from possible death, and I retained enough presence 

 of mind to release the shutter. At its click the 

 Golden Eagle flapped from her nest, and in a few 

 seconds I stood beside the Eaglets on the ledge. 

 They were surprised at my sudden appearance from 

 above and, standing nearly upright, held a consultation 

 (Plate 2 (£)), posing in such a comical attitude that I 

 thought it worth recording with the camera. We 

 now beat a hurried retreat, and left the Eagles in 

 peace for the day. 



