POWER OF BIRDS OF PREY. 45 



The subject of this narrative finally escaped, and 

 was said to have been recognized by many that knew 

 it, in the vicinity of Cromarty Firth. Supposing that 

 no mischance befell it, at the present day it may be 

 frequenting the desolate rock-bound coast of that arm 

 of the sea ; for they are supposed to live to a very 

 great age. 



In later years, when enjoying myself with my gun 

 in the West of Scotland, I have had a wounded hawk, 

 or even an owl, fasten with their claws upon me, and 

 found their hold exceedingly difficult to undo ; the 

 wound they effected being not unfrequently deep, 

 and always very painful. As I am an amateur 

 taxidermist, a desire not to injure the plumage of 

 my specimens exposed me to these disagreeable 

 consequences. When such is the power of doing 

 injury, possessed by these comparatively small birds, 

 the destructive capacity of an eagle can well be 

 understood. 



