244 LORD LILFORD 



on one of the Pyramids. Lanners must have 

 nested there in the time of Abraham. 



' Many only know our large birds of prey from 

 those seen in Zoological Gardens — drooping, 

 dejected, draggle-tailed, dirtier often than a 

 London sparrow in December — with no pro- 

 tection (save the bars of the cage) from snow or 

 rain, or August sun. To such it was a revela- 

 tion to visit Lilford. There, in the eagle-house, 

 Harriers, Buzzards, and Kites in perfect plumage 

 would fly round Lord Lilford' s head as he was 

 wheeled into the enclosure. A Tawny Eagle 

 would quietly sit on a branch close by him, 

 and an Egyptian Vulture which had not lost 

 any of its small allowance of self-respect, 

 with bright yellow face and clean feathers, 

 would march up to the wheels of the bath- 

 chair. 



'In the separate enclosures the Black and 

 Griffon Vultures danced and curtseyed as if they 

 enjoyed life, White-shouldered Imperial Eagles 

 of different ages sat side by side, and Golden 

 Eagles nested. Across the courtyard sat a 

 White-tailed Eagle, Irish born and English bred, 

 the oldest inhabitant of the aviary. It arrived 



