GOLDEN EAGLE. 



They were let loose in the servants' hall, and, rather to our 

 terror, began flying round the room over our heads. Fortunately 

 they did not alight on any of us. Finally, they settled down on 

 the table, and feasted on some rabbits which had been provided 

 for them. 



It is a remarkable thing that the beaks of all birds be they 

 Eagles or Finches, Curlews, Avocets, Parrots, or Pelicans, or even 

 the Spoonbills however differently formed for feeding purposes, 

 should all serve equally well for preening their feathers. 



Eagles have been known to attack and destroy red deer. 

 The following account has been sent me by an eye-witness, Allan 

 M'Laren, deer-stalker to Lochiel. He writes as follows : 



"December 21, 1894. 



" On one of my rounds on Ben-e-chrie, about the month of March, twelve 

 years ago, I noticed about forty hinds coming along the face of the hill at 

 full gallop, and, wondering what disturbed the animals, I sat down, thinking 

 they were pursued by a dog. But on taking out my glass, I observed three 

 Golden Eagles hunting after the deer, and having about a mile and a-half of 

 the hill in view, I watched eagerly what was to be the result. During the 

 last half-mile a year-old stag broke away from the herd, and one of the 

 Eagles fixed on his back, the other two following close by. Latterly they 

 disappeared out of my sight, about a mile away. I at once made for the 

 spot. On arriving, I found the year-old stag killed by the Eagles, and part 

 of him devoured opposite the heart. All three were busily engaged in the 

 feast, having a right jolly dinner. I felt at the moment if only I had ,a gun 

 although Eagles were strictly preserved I could not resist the temptation of 

 having a shot. ALLAN M'LAKEN." 



12 



