SEA-EAGLE. RAPTORES. HALI^ETUS. 21 



female ; the sex of the other was not ascertained. It is pro- 

 bable, from being both of the same age, and killed within a few 

 miles of each other, that they had belonged to the same eyry, 

 and had continued associated from the time of quitting the 

 nest. 



In their native districts, they are generally seen near the 

 sea- shores, or the precipices skirting the margins of inland 

 lakes, as their favourite food consists of fish, which they 

 pounce upon whilst swimming near the surface of the water ; 

 or which they compel the Ospreys, after having captured 

 them, to yield to their superior strength. Aquatic birds also 

 become a frequent prey, as well as fawns and roe-bucks. 

 They generally breed in the most inaccessible cliffs, and lay - 

 but one, or at most two eggs, entirely, white, and nearly the 

 size of those of a goose. In my collection, is an egg laid by 

 a bird of this species, after having been kept in a state of 

 confinement for upwards of twenty years. The Cinereous 

 Eagle possesses astonishing capability of enduring the cra- 

 vings of hunger ; and instances are on record where it has 

 shewn undiminished vigour, after fasting for four or five 

 weeks. I am acquainted with an instance, in which the bird 

 was permitted, through the inattention of its keeper, to be 

 without food for several weeks, till its sufferings were so se- 

 vere as to excite it to gnaw the flesh from the pinions of its 

 own wings. In defect of living prey, this species readily 

 feeds upon the dead carcasses of sheep and other animals, and 

 is frequently caught in Scotland by the following device : 

 " A miniature-house, at least the wall part of it, is built on 

 ground frequented by the eagle, and an opening left at the 

 foot of the wall, sufficient for the egress of the bird. To the 

 outside of this opening a bit of strong skeiny (cord) is fixed, 

 with a noose formed on one end, and the other running 

 through the noose. After all this operation is finished, a 

 piece of carrion is thrown into the house, which the eagle 

 finds out, and perches upon. It eats voraciously, and when 

 fully satisfied it never thinks of taking its flight immediately 



