THE GOLDEN EAGLE. 



9 



was one, had time to reload their guns, and in defiance 

 of their shouts, carried off her prey. In another case, 

 an old black cock was sprung, when an eagle, which 

 must have been on a neighbouring rock unperceived, 

 instantly pursued it across the glen, the breadth of 

 which was at least two miles. The eagle made several 

 pounces in view, without success ; but as there was 

 neither wood nor cover on the opposite mountains suf- 

 ficient to conceal so large a bird as a black grouse, he 

 doubtless forfeited his life to the merciless tyrant of 

 the rocks. 



It is said that eagles have the power of bearing for 

 a long time abstinence from food : thus, one belonging 

 to a gentleman of Conway, in Carnarvonshire, was neg- 

 lected by the servants, and kept for three weeks without 

 any sustenance whatever. These birds are also de- 

 scribed as being very long-lived. One is stated to have 

 lived in confinement, at Vienna, for a hundred and four 

 years. Two golden eagles, kept by Mr. Selby, appear- 

 ed untameable in disposition ; their fierceness remaining 

 undiminished through years of confinement. They did 

 not exhibit any partiality even for the person who con- 

 stantly attended and fed them, but were as ready to 

 attack him as a stranger. 



Some years ago, a gentleman, residing in the south 



