2 BIRDS OF LOCH AND MOUNTAIN 



The Golden Eagle, although much more com- 

 mon than the Sea-Eagle, is nowhere met with in 

 any great numbers ; but, thanks to the protection 

 afforded by most of the Scottish proprietors 

 not to speak of the comparatively useless " Wild 

 Birds Protection Act " it is fairly holding its 

 own. It is welcomed in deer forests, as it keeps 

 down the numbers of Grouse, which often render 

 the stalker's best-laid plans useless by suddenly 

 rising and alarming the deer by their loud " quack, 

 kurr ! go back, go back." Whether the Grouse is 

 really warning the deer of their danger, or whether 

 the call is used only for alarming its own species, 

 is very uncertain ; but I am inclined to think 

 that the bird utters its alarm note automatically 

 when in danger, or else to warn any other 

 members of the species which happen to be in the 

 vicinity. 



Quite recently a Golden Eagle was shot near 

 Tomintoul in defiance of the Order strictly protect- 

 ing it. There was a Grouse drive going on, and 

 it was noticed that the Grouse were flying much 

 quicker than usual. Soon a Golden Eagle came in 

 sight, when it was shot down by one of the 

 guns ! Incidentally, also, I may mention that the 

 Kestrel is another bird the shooting of which is 

 prohibited by law, and yet keepers arid others 

 shoot it regularly, without any notice being taken 

 by the authorities. 



The Golden Eagle is the first of our birds of 

 prey to commence nesting operations. The same 

 eyrie is used year after year until it becomes a 

 very large structure. One eyrie I know was 

 used steadily for about fifteen years. Then one 

 winter there was an exceptionally heavy fall of 



