COLLECTING BIRDS' EGGS. 



suddenly catching a glimpse of the poor bird, down she came 

 with extended legs, and without seeming to more than touch 

 the heather with her talons, she caught the grouse, and the 

 next moment was Hying rapidly away towards the highest 

 cliffs of the mountain with her prey. 



Notwithstanding the incessant war waged against these 

 noble birds, there are still some few eagles left in certain 

 districts ; but where there is much grouse-shooting, and 

 where, in consequence, there are many keepers, they are 

 quite extirpated. The shepherds seem too indolent to take 

 much trouble about killing the old birds ; though the mania 

 for collecting birds' eggs bids fair, I fear, to prevent any 

 number of young eagles being hatched, as the eggs have 

 become in such demand that they fetch from a pound to 

 five-and-twenty shillings each from the numerous collectors, 

 who, by the by, are constantly imposed upon most grossly in 

 their collections. 



The most perfect arrangement of British eggs that I ever 

 saw, and one that is quite to be relied on for the identity of 

 every egg, belongs to my friend Mr. Hancock of Newcastle ; 

 a gentleman who combines with the most indefatigable and 

 zealous love of nature in all her forms, a refined taste and 

 acute perception that no trick of the trade can impose upon. 



Mr. Hancock's collection comprises very nearly every 

 British bird's egg, and many varieties of each kind, which he 

 has collected, from public-spirited motives, at an incalculable 

 outlay of time and expense, aided by a perfect and intimate 

 knowledge of every bird, both in its living state and habits 

 and its anatomical structure and formation. 



Notwithstanding, as I say, the prices given by London 

 collectors, the sea eagle at any rate is tolerably common on 

 the northern coast and islands. From its habit of building 

 principally on the most inaccessible rocks and cliffs of the 

 sea-coast, its nest is more secure than that of the golden 

 eagle, which, building farther inland, and frequently in more 

 accessible places, is liable to be killed, or to have its nest 

 taken by shepherds, keepers, &c. 



The eggs of these two eagles are very similar to each 

 other ; but the different specimens of each sort vary consider- 

 ably in size and colour. I have seen golden eagles' eggs, of 

 many different shades, from one of a pure white to one 

 covered with light red spots: and the white-tailed eagle's 

 eggs vary in the same manner. The eggs of both have a 



