THE EAGLE. 249 



occasionally in that island befallen children of four or five 

 years of age. 



It is related in the life of De Thou, the historian, that when 

 himself and Monsieur Schomberg were passing through part 

 of France on an embassy from Henry III. to the king of 

 Navarre, they were entertained for some days at Mande, the 

 seat of the Bishop and Count of Gevaudan. At the first re- 

 past, it was observed with some surprise, that all- the wild- 

 fowl or game brought to table wanted either a head, or wing, 

 a leg, or some other part, which occasioned their host plea- 

 santly to apologise for the voracity of his caterer, who always 

 took the liberty of first tasting what he had procured before 

 it was brought to table. On perceiving the increased surprise 

 of his guests, he informed them that in the mountainous re- 

 gions of that district the Eagles were accustomed to build 

 their eyries among the almost inaccessible rocks, which can 

 only be ascended by ladders and grappling-irons. The pea- 

 sants, however, when they have discovered a nest, erect a 

 small hut at the foot of the rock, in which to shelter them- 

 selves from the fury of the birds when they convey provisions 

 to their young ; as also to watch the times of their departure 

 from the nest. When this happens, they immediately plant 

 their ladders, climb the rocks, and carry off what the Eagles 

 have conveyed to their young, substituting the entrails of 

 animals and other offal. The prey has generally been mu- 

 tilated by the young Eagles before the men can get it ; but in 

 compensation for this disadvantage, it has a much finer flavor 

 than any thing the markets can afford. He added, that when 

 the young Eagles have acquired strength enough to fly, the 

 shepherds fasten them to the nest, that the parent birds may 

 continue to .supply them the longer. Three or four Eagles' 

 nests were in this way sufficient to furnish a splendid table 

 throughout the year; and so far from murmuring at the 

 ravages of the Eagles, he thought himself very happy in be- 

 ing situated in their neighborhood, and reckoned every eyrie 

 as a kind of annual rent. 



