110 THE EAGLE. 



by well-contrived plans, and at times have been made 

 prisoners by animals not surpassing them in size and power. 

 Thus, about ten years ago, as a gentleman's groom in Not- 

 tinghamshire was early one morning exercising his master's 

 horses, a terrier dog which accompanied him put up from a 

 bush, a fine Eagle, measuring from tip to tip of his wings 

 nearly eight feet. It flew slowly over the hedge into a neigh- 

 bouring field, pursued by the dog, who came up with and 

 attacked it before it could fairly rise ; a sharp contest took 

 place, during which the dog was severely bitten, but gallantly 

 persevered in maintaining his hold ; when at length, with the 

 assistance of the groom, and a person accidentally passing by, 

 the bird was finally secured. It is not improbable that the 

 Eagle had, during the night, been gorging itself with food, 

 after which birds of prey usually become lazy and dull, and 

 unwilling to fly, unless roused. Aware of this, in Scotland 

 the people adopt a mode of catching them, which is attended 

 with general success ; or at least was in former times, when 

 the country was less inhabited, and eagles more abundant.* 



Four walls are raised to the extent and height of a small 

 house or hut, on some heath or common where Eagles abound, 

 and one opening left at the foot of the wall, sufficiently large 

 to admit of the bird's walking in or out. To the outside of 

 this opening, a bit of strong cord is fixed, with a noose formed 

 at one end. When this has been arranged, a piece of carrion 

 is thrown into the enclosure, which the Eagle in his range 

 finds out and devours. Having eaten voraciously, it becomes 

 stupified, and unwilling or unable to fly at once upwards, and 

 consequently walks slowly and leisurely out at the opening 

 left for it; and the cord with its noose being fitly con- 

 trived, and well placed for the purpose, catches hold of and 

 strangles it. 



In North America, they are much sought after and prized 

 by the Indians, who are constantly on the look-out for them. 

 Sometimes a hole is dug and slightly covered, and there, in a 

 manner buried, a hunter will patiently watch, day after day, 



* Statistical Account, vol. xxi. 



