IRISH GOLDEN EAGLES 193 



the same it has been constantly harried, and, some 

 years ago now, the male was ruthlessly shot off 

 the nest, a fact which demonstrates that the cock 

 Golden Eagle sometimes at least participates in the 

 incubation of the eggs. The survivor procured a 

 fresh mate, but the last eggs of which I can glean 

 any definite tidings are the usual couple (a " three ' 

 is very rare indeed), newly laid, taken on May 13th, 

 1898. This is an extraordinary date for fresh 

 Eagle's eggs, since early April is unquestionably 

 the normal date for them, while the least exposed 

 eyries constantly contain their complement during 

 the latter half of March. The two eggs in question 

 were both poorly-marked (usually one is of this 

 character, the other being more or less richly 

 patterned with reddish-brown and sometimes lilac- 

 grey), and were presumably a second attempt after 

 the loss of the first clutch, though I believe for a 

 Golden Eagle to lay again in the same year that 

 she is robbed is an event of great rarity. I think 

 this pair are early breeders, and always have eggs 

 by the end of March. Anyhow, I have never yet 

 visited the haunt before April 10th; never yet have 

 I seen eggs in any of the eyries, though I have 

 seen the birds themselves there and a nest which 

 had palpably been robbed. 



This, which should be a stronghold of Eagles, is 

 a picturesque spot, and is amongst the broken-up 

 masses of a mountain-side with a northerly aspect. 

 The whole place is a medley of peaks and buttresses. 



o 



