248 EASILY TAMED. 



to protect them ; for his mere presence naturally scared away 

 the smaller birds of prey, which might otherwise have been 

 inclined to molest them. On one occasion I myself reared 

 a pair of cinereous eagles, which were taken from an eyrie 

 near to Uddevalla ; but as I never gave them entire freedom, 

 I had not much opportunity of studying their habits and 

 dispositions. 



If what M. Holmstedt tells us of the one in his possession 

 be applicable to the breed generally, it would seem as if this 

 bird soon becomes attached, as well to his home, as to his 

 owner. 



" The cinereous eagle, which I have now had for nearly 

 three years," writes that gentleman, " is very tame and 

 beautiful. He allows himself to be caressed with the hand, 

 and will come to one when called; and is, in short, very 

 amusing. For this reason he has his full liberty, and is 

 constantly at large in the open air, and flies wherever he 

 pleases. He often visits his wild brethren on the shores 

 of the lake Wenern, but always returns home again, when 

 he is treated to something or other. Fish is his favourite 

 food; and if he obtain a sufficiency of the finny tribe at 

 home, he remains with us for several days together, but if 

 the reverse be the case, he caters for himself elsewhere. 



" That my eagle may be recognized, I have, by means of 

 an iron chain, fastened a metal bell around his neck, which, 

 as he flies, rings constantly and loudly. This unusual noise, 

 when, in majestic circles, he traverses the air, always causes 

 a multitude of gulls and terns to congregate about him ; and 

 it is their cries, and the sound of the bell, that announce 

 his return from distant friends. During his excursions, he 

 often visits the fishermen amongst the islands, to whom he 



