WHITE-TAILED EAGLE. 



THE WHITE-TAILED EAGLE. 

 HA LI A ETUS A LB 1C ILL A . 



Erne. lolair Bhuidhe. lolair Riamhach. 

 lolair Shuil na Grein. 



Being a much commoner bird in Scotland than the preceding 

 species, the Sea Eagle has never been at any time in the same danger 

 of extinction. Even in 1867 and 1868 there were numerous eyries 

 in places which have been occupied from time immemorial. Between 

 Loch Brittle and Copnahow Head, in Skye, for example, nine or 

 ten eyries might have been seen, while in several of the smaller 

 groups of isles in the Minch and Gulf of the Hebrides at least a 

 dozen more could be cited. The Isle of Skye, indeed, may be said 

 to be the head quarters of this conspicuous eagle in the west of 

 Scotland the entire coast line of that magnificent country offering 

 many attractions to a bird of its habits. Nearly all the bold 

 headlands of Skye are frequented by at least one pair of Sea Eagles, 

 and it is at no time a difficult matter to get a sight of them. On 

 one property alone there were recently six breeding places; * and 

 I have been informed by Dr Dewar, that quite recently as many 

 as six old birds of this species assembled together, and were ob- 

 served soaring in a group above the house of Captain M'Donald, 

 near Bracadale. Two of these birds probably males set upon 

 each other, and fought viciously for a considerable time, while the 

 other four soared leisurely round the combatants, uttering their 

 well known yelping cry, but making no near approach. The 

 battle, during which a quantity of feathers were scattered in the 

 air, continued until the birds reached the ground, when it was 

 found that one of them was so much injured as to be unable to 

 rise; it was therefore knocked on the head by a shepherd who had 

 stood for some time an interested spectator of the novel fight. 



* It is impossible, however, to conceal the fact that if the present destruction 

 of eagles continues we shall soon have to reckon this species among the extinct 

 families of our "feathered nobility." " During the last nine years,'' says my 

 friend Dr Dewar, " a keeper in Skye has shot fifty-seven eagles on a single 

 estate;" and in a letter addressed to myself in November, 1866, by a keeper 

 resident in the west of Ross-shire, the^confession is made that during an experi- 

 ence of twelve years he had shot no less than fifty-two eagles, besides taking 

 numbers of both eggs and young. Captain Cameron of Glenbrittle also in- 

 forms me that he has now seen as many as sixty-two Sea Eagles killed in Skye. 

 No species of eagle could long survive such persecution. 



