THE BOOK OF MIGRATORY BIRDS 243 



prey he does so from above. Charging downwards with 

 immense velocity, he drives his hind claw into the body 

 of his victim. The talon at the end of the hind toe usually 

 measures two inches, and the point is as sharp as a needle. 

 This formidable weapon would drive the body of the prey 

 seized directly into the grasp of the three talons which 

 form the front of the foot. Thus we have a grasping 

 machine combining the essentials of strength and 

 lightness. 



In Scotland there is a general belief that the bird feeds 

 largely on grouse. It is quite certain that they will eat 

 such food, but it must be borne in mind that the bird 

 would catch diseased and sickly grouse, and thus go far 

 to stamp out the grouse disease. Their chief food is uri- 

 'doubtedly blue hares. By destroying the eagles, there- 

 fore, one might venture to say that the Scotch proprietors 

 are acting unwisely, for surely the loss of a few grouse 

 and hares is not too great a payment to the eagle for the 

 good he otherwise brings about by his gratuitous exertions. 



