CAPTIVE EAGLE. 



MY father was a military man, and, as often 

 happened nearly forty years ago, his family lived 

 within barracks. The regiment to which he belonged 

 was stationed at one time in the north of Scotland. 

 In the fort was a canteen, and attached to it a yard 

 for the stowage of barrels, empty cases, etc. This 

 enclosure was surrounded by very high walls, and in 

 it was kept one of the finest and largest specimens 

 of the golden eagle that I ever remember to have 

 seen. Its favourite perch was an old box, from 

 which it would eye askance, and not without looks 

 of ferocity, any person that entered its habitation. 

 I know that we youngsters used to regard it with 

 feelings of considerable trepidation. That it would 

 have attacked and killed a child I have not the 

 smallest doubt. 



On raw flesh this bird was principally fed, rats 

 also formed no small part of its diet, but when a cat 

 could be procured, it was turned loose into the yard, 

 when it was at once seized and transported to the 

 favourite perch. The unfortunate victim, as soon as 

 it became aware of the presence of its foe, would 

 make the most frantic efforts to escape, but never for a 

 moment sought to defend itself. However^its struggles 

 were of short duration after being pounced upon, 

 the terrible talons doing quickly and surely the work 

 of destruction, these formidable weapons often meet- 

 ing through the cat's body. There was an old major 

 in the regiment who had a pet tom-cat, a splendid 



