104 VISIT TO THE EAGLE'S CLIFF. 



clearing and baiting their spillets,) in the vague hope of 

 getting a shot at those predatory birds, of whose spoliations 

 we had heard so much on the preceding evening. 



On reaching the bottom of the rock in whose face the 

 aerie stands, we discovered that the old birds were absent ; 

 and as the nest was formed in a deep fissure, we could not 

 ascertain its situation exactly. But that the eagles' dwelling 

 was above us was evident enough : the base of the cliff 

 was strewn with bones and feathers, and the accumulation of 

 both was extraordinary. The bones of rabbits, hares, and 

 domestic fowls, were most numerous ; but those of smaller 

 game, and various sorts of fish, were visible among the 

 heap. 



Many attempts are annually made to destroy this predatory 

 family ; but it is impossible to rob the nest. Situated two 

 hundred feet above the base of the rock, it is, of course, 

 unapproachable from below; and as the cliffs beetle over it 

 frightfully, to assail it from above would be a hazardous essay. 

 An enterprising peasant some years since was let down by a 

 rope and basket ; but he was fiercely attacked by the old 

 birds, and the basket nearly overturned. Fortunately, the 

 cord was strong, and had sufficient length to allow his being 

 lowered rapidly, or he would have undoubtedly sustained some 

 bodily injury from the wings and talons of those enraged and 

 savage birds.* 



* The following interesting anecdote is well authenticated: "Two 

 eagles, in the wildest part of a neighbouring county, had for some time 

 depredated on the neighbourhood, and bore away lambs, kids, &c., for the 

 sustenance of their young. Some peasants determined, if possible, to 

 obtain the young birds ; and ascended the mountains, but found that the 

 nest was in a part of the perpendicular rock, near one hundred feet 

 below the summit, and about three hundred above the sea, which, with 

 terrific appearances, dashed against its base. They had provided them- 

 selves with ropes, and a lad, armed with a cimetar, was by this means 

 lowered by the rest. He arrived in safety at the nest, where, as he 

 expected, he was attacked with infinite fury by one of the old eagles, at 

 which he made a stroke with his sword, that nearly cut asunder the rope 

 by which he was suspended. Fortunately, one strand of it remained. 

 He described his state to his comrades, waiting in horrible expectation 

 that the division of the cord would precipitate him to the bottom ; but 

 though he might have been to die by a rope, it was not in this manner. 

 He was cautiously and safely hauled up ; when it was found that his 

 hair, which a quarter of an hour before had been of a dark auburn, had 

 in that short period become perfectly white." 



