178 Alexander Goodman More. [i865 



{2illybegs t Donegal, March ijth.} I am only waiting for 's 



reply about the Crested Titmouse to send you back the slips. . . . Please 

 allow me to call the Columba palumbus by the southern name of 

 W(ood) P(igeon). I cannot agree with you to give it the name of 

 R(ing) D(ove), which I never heard used. English names matter so 

 little, except for convenience, that I think you will readily agree to 

 this. 



(Killybegs, March 26th.} I hope you will have received safely the 



corrected proofs, which have been only waiting the chance of 's 



reply. I shall be really sorry if my delay affect the appearance of the 

 April " Ibis," because we all know how very important punctuality is, 

 and all Editors are not so merciful and patient as A. N. Now to busi- 

 ness. There is an Eagle's nest near here, reputed impregnable, being 

 on an isolated pinnacle. You know all about Eagles, so pray help a 

 poor " incipient." The chasm is only twenty yards or so. The base of 

 the rock is accessible at low water. I propose throwing a small line 

 over (by kite or rocket borrowed from coastguard, or by pistol). Then 

 to draw a hawser after the small line. This will be secured by a double 

 purchase to a small anchor, and hauled taught. Then follows your 

 small friend slung on a ring ; and my only doubt is whether there is 

 any risk of the Eagles " mauling " me. If so, I shall sling a double 

 gun, or carry a small pointed walking-stick or ganger's sword. Please 

 tell me as well as you can if Eagles not ravished before are the more 

 fierce ? i.e. more likely to attack. Next, when (on what date in April) 

 shall I try the adventure ? Do Eagles long undisturbed breed earlier ? 

 and please give any good advice you can to your small brother B. O. U- 

 Please do not print beyond Passeres (i.e. end of Crows), as I may not 

 be back in Dublin in time to write you any fourth instalment before the 

 October number. . . . If you can help me to any friend of (? enemy of) 

 Eagles, or to any bird-man in Donegal, I shall be most thankful, since, 

 if I miss the impregnable, I mean to try some practicable eyrie (and 

 write you an account of the adventure if I succeed). 



(Killybegs, April i8th.} I enclose you the skin roughly taken from 

 an Arithus which I shot here the other day. The birds are not plentiful, 

 and another specimen which I brought home has been carried off by 

 the cat. I am afraid that the tails will hardly do for A. spipoletta. . . . 

 I am still making inquiries after the Eagles, and hope to wait on them 

 soon. I am told that there are two easier nests than the "impreg- 

 nable," and I hope to succeed in taking one or other of them. Thank 

 you for the good advice and instruction. 



About this time, unfortunately, he suffered a return of 

 ill health. He was unable to carry out the Eagle-robbing 

 adventure, and was also obliged to decline the chance of a 

 foreign botanical appointment. 



