The Golden Eagle. 187 



sticks, and generally built on the point of an inacces- 

 sible rock, whence it darts upon its prey with the rapi- 

 dity of lightning. The period of incubation is said to 

 be thirty days ; and when the young are hatched, both 

 the male and female exert all their industry to provide 

 for their wants. In the county of Kerry a peasant is 

 said once to have formed the resolution of plundering an 

 Eagle's nest built upon a small island in the beautiful 

 lake of Killarney. He accordingly swam to the island 

 while the parents were away ; and, after robbing the 

 nest of the young, was preparing to swim back with the 

 Eaglets tied in a string ; but while he was yet up to the 

 chin in the water, the old Eagles returned, and, missing 

 their family, fell upon the invader with such fury, that, 

 in spite of all his resistance, they despatched him with 

 their beaks and talons. 



Another native of Kerry was more fortunate in his 

 dealings with the Eagles. During a season of scarcity 

 he obtained sustenance for himself and his family by 

 plundering an Eagle's nest of the food brought in by the 

 parents for their young ones : and he was so artful as to 

 prolong the supply by cutting the wings of the Eaglets 

 so as to prevent their flying, and thus compelled the old 

 birds to continue their attention to their progeny. 



