100 BRITISH BIRDS. 



Eagle sweeps slowly onwards, rising higher as he goes to clear the neigh- 

 bouring hills, and disappears over the summit to pursue his course over 

 the adjoining valley. Follow him in imagination there; see him at last 

 alight on yonder hoary crag, his favourite perch for a generation. Notice 

 how gracefully he folds his long, broad wings, slightly drooping, his neck 

 closely retracted, with its bright golden plumes glowing in the light. 

 There he remains for hours basking in the bright sunbeams, digesting his 

 meal, and collecting his energies for a fresh foray upon the defenceless and 

 the weak. That favourite perch has been used for years and years. In fine 

 and storm the monarch of the mountain seeks that favoured rock-pinnacle, 

 there to bask in summer, or cling, firm as the rock itself, whilst the 

 storm and the sleet drive past in blinding fury. This peculiar habit of 

 choosing a certain perching-place is common to many of the larger raptorial 

 birds ; and it is often the place to which they convey their food and make 

 their meal. 



All raptorial birds are capable of great endurance, and will live for a 

 considerable time without food ; yet none are more hardy in this respect 

 than the Golden Eagle, which has been known to fast for weeks. In 

 Eastern Turkestan the Golden Eagle is a bird of the chase, the young 

 birds being taken and trained for the purposes of falconry. Its quarry 

 is antelopes and foxes, and, it is said, even wolves. These trained birds 

 are carried about by a man mounted on a pony, who holds the bird 

 on his wrist, which, together with his hand, is protected by a leather 

 gauntlet. 



The Golden Eagle is remarkably fond of bathing, and will often stand in 

 a little pool for half an hour or more, scattering the water over its plumage 

 and seeming to enjoy its submersion immensely. The number of stories 

 about people being attacked by Eagles, and of their carrying off children, 

 have, we are confident, but little foundation in fact. The Golden Eagle is 

 a powerful bird ; but he is not a courageous one, and often allows himself 

 to be beaten off by a much smaller and less powerful antagonist. When 

 its nest is menaced, the bird betakes itself clear away, never venturing 

 within gunshot, and usually consoles itself by watching operations 

 from a respectful distance, or leaves the place entirely. 



Golden Eagles are most probably life-paired birds, and tenant the same 

 cliffs for many years in succession. The same nest is not always used each 

 season, especially if the birds be disturbed ; but it will usually be found 

 that they have several favourite places, which appear to be used in 

 turn. Very early in spring the birds prepare their eyrie, by strength- 

 ening it, adding to it a new lining, and otherwise repairing what 

 damage has been done by the storms of winter, much as the Rooks do ; or 

 if they are not so fortunate to possess a home, they commence building. 

 As a rule, the Golden Eagle chooses an inland site one amidst the 



