168 GOLDEN EAGLE. 



top of the precipice. It is composed of dead 

 branches, roots of heather, &c. entangled strongly 

 together, and in considerable quantity, but with- 

 out any lining in the inside ; the eggs are two 

 in number, white, with pale brown or purplish 

 blotches, most numerous and largest at the 

 thicker end. (See Plate XI. fig. 1.) During the 

 season of incubation, the quantity of food that is 

 procured and brought hither is almost incredible ; 

 it is composed of nearly all the inhabitants, or 

 their young, of those wild districts called forests, 

 which, though indicating a wooded region, are 

 often tracts where for miles around a tree is not 

 seen. Hares, lambs, and the young of deer and 

 roebuck, grouse, black game, ptarmigan, curlews, 

 and plovers, all contribute to the feast. 



The manner in which the eagles hunt or survey 

 the ground is by soaring above, often to an 

 immense height ; the ascent is performed by 

 circles, a beautiful appearance in flight. When 

 the prey is perceived, it is rushed upon by a rapid 

 and instantaneous sweep ; and surprised ere it. can 

 escape, or paralyzed by terror, the object is gene- 

 rally at once seized. The weight of the birds and 

 the great resistance presented to the air by their 

 large bodies and expansive wings, prevent pursuit 

 being often tried, though we have instances men- 

 tioned. Montague relates one where a wounded 

 grouse was seized before the guns could be 



