THE 



BIRDS OF THE WEST OF SCOTLAND. 



RAPTOR ES. FALCONID^E. 



THE GOLDEN EAGLE] > !\H V 



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A q UILA CHR YSA ETOS..: ' ' ^ ;>'.';?; , 

 lolair dliubh. 



THERE is perhaps no feature in the history of British birds more 

 to be regretted than the gradual disappearance of many species 

 that were once familiar residents. Among these, the Golden 

 Eagle stands pre-eminent as deserving the sympathy of all true 

 naturalists, subjected as it has been to a relentless and continual 

 persecution, which only excites our wonder that the noble bird 

 has so long survived. It is certainly not a false sentiment that 

 urges the ornithologist of our own times to lift up his voice against 

 the destruction of a class of birds whose very presence gives a 

 character to some of the finest scenery in Britain; and every true 

 lover of nature will, I feel sure, join him in the hope that it may 

 not yet be too late to bring back from the verge of extinction the 

 bird that has so long occupied the foremost rank in Scottish 

 ornithology. 



As might be expected, the western counties form the only resting 

 place now in the breeding season for this splendid bird. Even 

 there, however, it is by no means certain that the number of eyries 

 will increase, unless the proprietors of the various lands thus 

 frequented unite in determining that eagles are to be spared. 

 That such a feeling already, to some extent, exists is beyond 

 question; but without the cordial co-operation of all, it is doubt- 

 ful, looking to the wandering habits of the bird in the autumn and 



A 



