42 THE HOME-LIFE OF 



On the 19th, however, the Eagles decided that the 

 position was becoming intolerable, and during the whole 

 day they placed prey, grouse and hares, on the far 

 side of the barrier, at intervals tempting the youngster 

 with the sight of some tempting morsel. Rendered 

 desperate by hunger, he eventually napped and climbed 

 round the barrier, and I now realized that nature must 

 take her course and that the time had come for my 

 feathered friend to leave the nest. I therefore removed 

 the barrier and allowed the Eaglet to enjoy his little 

 walks as before. 



At length there came a day when the Eaglet's wings 

 carried him for the first time to the top of my hiding 

 place, from which point he surveyed the corrie, and 

 began to take food here with him to devour on his new 

 perch. As before, he retired at night to the shelter of 

 the ledge, and waited here till his parents appeared with 

 prey. But day by day his journeys became longer, and 

 he flapped along the ledges with ever-increasing strength 

 and activity, though handicapped in his progress towards 

 maturity by the continual rain and the cold wet 

 mist which hung ever like a shroud upon the hills 

 around. 



A typical day (July 23rd) may be chosen to illustrate 

 his programme at this stage. In the eyrie, now filthy 

 beyond description and swarming with vermin, he had 

 spent the previous night, and, the sky for once in a way 

 being comparatively clear, he stood waiting for his 

 mother's return. The carcase of a grouse and a few 

 hares' legs engaged his attention from time to time, 

 but he was evidently waiting for fresh food, and in due 

 course his expectation was fulfilled. She came in once 

 more, fearless of danger, bringing the hindquarters of 

 a rabbit to serve for his morning meal. Settling on 

 the far side of the nest, she flapped her wings repeatedly, 

 as if giving him a flying lesson (Plate 30). The Eaglet, 

 now ravenous, seemed to grasp her meaning, and for 



