6 ERNE 



beech. They are usually near the coast, though some are 

 many miles inland, the parents nevertheless bringing the sea 

 fish to the young. 



The male bird takes his turn at incubation with the 

 female. The Erne is said to be less strongly attached to 

 its haunts than the Golden Eagle, but it seems to be in 

 some degree fond of them, and not unfrequently returns to 

 the same breeding-places for several years in succession. 



The eggs one, or at the most two in number, though 

 three are said to have been recorded are pure white ; some 

 are covered with brownish stains, derived probably from the 

 feet of the parents. They are much coarser in grain than 

 those of the Golden Eagle. 



One of these birds has been known to lay an egg after 

 having been in confinement for more than twenty years. 



The young are hatched about the beginning of June, and 

 become fully fledged about the middle of August. 



