CHAP. IX. 

 OF BIRD S. 



i. /~\tf the higheft and ftecpeft part of Cheviot, fo called from 

 ^-^ its being the chief of the mountains round it, the Eagle (a) 

 fometimes has its airy. Two beautiful ones were bred there a 

 few years ago, one of which was mot by a gentleman's fervant. 

 A fportfman afterwards killed one of the parent-birds. In the be- 

 ginning of January, 1735, a very large one was Ihot near Wark- 

 worthy which meafured, between the points of die wings extend- 

 ed, eleven feet and a quarter. There was another killed, 1761, 

 near Tindal-houfe, by William Carr, of ' Etall, Efq; They are faid 

 to be in fuch plenty in the North of Scotland, in the Orkneys, that 

 whoever kills one is intitled to a hen from every houfe in the pa- 

 rim. It is a beautiful Bird, robuft, and of a mighty fpirit, and 

 fierce nature ; the hooked beak fharp and terrible, the mouth 

 wide, the eyes large, in a kind of hollow, bright and fparkling 

 like fire; the iris of a greenifh flame-colour, the pupil black, 

 preferred in their vigour and ftrength from external injuries, not 

 only by a periophthalmium or nictitating membrane, which ferves 

 other birds inftead of eye-lids, but alfo with four opercula or eye- 

 lids, two above and two under, with which it covers its eyes in- 

 flantaneoufly, whenever it is difpofed. It is fo quick-fighted, 



(a) Chryfaetos. Will Orn. p. 2,7. t. I. Raj. Av. p. 6. n. i. Cbarlet. Av. p. 70. n. I. 

 Falcp cera lutea, pedibus alatis, corpore rufo. Linn. Faun. Suec. p. 18. n. 56. 



that 



