FALCONID.E. 23 



among the flocks during the lambing time lead to the em- 

 ployment of every device for its destruction. The Golden 

 Eagle begins to breed in March, or early in April, and its 

 eyrie, to which it will return for many successive years, is 

 placed on the face of some stupendous cliff. The nest is 

 built on a projecting shelf, or on some stumped tree that 

 grows from the rock, generally in a situation perfectly inac- 

 cessible without some artificial means, and often out of the 

 reach of shot either from above or below ; it is large, and 

 composed of dead branches and roots of heather, except in 

 situations where these are not to be obtained, as in the 

 Shetland Islands, where Mr. Hewitson relates that rope- 

 like pieces of seaweed are employed instead ; to these are 

 sometimes added, by way of lining, softer materials, as 

 straw, dry grass, and wool. The eggs are generally two in 

 number, with pale-brown or purplish blotches, most nume- 

 rous and largest at the thicker end, but some varieties are 

 white. 



The Golden Eagle may be tamed to a certain extent, and 

 when taken young has been known to manifest strong at- 

 tachment to its owner. Mr. Thompson mentions one which 

 would not only permit itself to be handled, but would re- 

 main quiet on its master's arm for any length of time, and 



