76 MOUNTAIN AND MOORLAND 



it has also suffered from the gradual spread of agri- 

 culture, which has meant a reduction or restriction of 

 part of the Golden Eagle's food-supply, such as Hares 

 and other small mammals, Grouse and other birds. 

 Collectors are also to blame, especially " profes- 

 sionals." Moreover, it is a slowly multiplying 

 creature, usually having only two offspring in the 

 year. It is welcome news that the Golden Eagle is on 

 the increase in the Highlands of Scotland, for it is a 

 noble bird a national asset of high value and if it 

 occasionally gives a coup de grace to a sickly lamb or 

 a disabled fawn, there is no harm in that. Even in the 

 interests of grouse-shooting it is worth preserving, 

 for it tends to winnow out the weaker birds. 



The nest is sometimes built on the side of a cliff 

 and sometimes on a tree ; it is a bulky structure, and is 

 used many times over. The framework consists of 

 branches and twigs; the interior is made comfortable 

 with Grasses, Woodrush, and Moss. All the brooding 

 is done by the female, but the male bird may bring 

 some of the food which she gives to the young ones, 

 notably livers of Hare and Rabbit and titbits of birds. 



Thanks to Mr. H. B. Macpherson's careful study of 

 a Golden Eagle's eyrie in the Grampians (see " Home 

 Life of a Golden Eagle ")> we have accurate pictures of 

 what goes on during the brooding time. A few out- 

 standing facts may be selected. After the eaglets are 

 hatched the mother hunts for them, feeding them at 

 first twice a day at dawn and at dusk. The Grouse 

 that are brought to the eyrie are plucked and headless; 

 the Hares and Rabbits are skinned and made ready in 

 a larder distant from the nest; the youngsters get 

 only digestible food, being unable for some weeks to 



