120 WILD SPORTS OF THE WEST. 



leaving its rugged pinnacle — a disordered mass of 

 shivered granite— sparkling in the sunshine. Our dogs 

 were in beautiful condition ; and we were gratified to 

 hear from a water-guard patrol, that, but an hour before, 

 he had sprung a strong pack of birds on our purposed 

 beat. 



But, alas ! the departed Dutchman had left us certain 

 twinges in the head to make us recollect him, and we 

 felt a nervous sensibility that was anything but favour- 

 able to good shooting. An immersion in the sea was 

 recommended as a certain remedy, and our host con- 

 ducted us to a rock, from which we could plunge into 

 water four fathoms deep, and yet clear enough to enable 

 us to observe the shells and pebbles at the bottom. 

 We enjoyed a delightful ablution, returned new men 

 to the watch-house, and, like giants refreshed, prepared 

 for a good day*s fag. 



So salutary proved our bath, that we breakfasted as 

 if we had never drained a Dutchman in our lives. The 

 dogs were duly coupled, and sundry disengaged gentle- 

 men of the village, whom we found lounging at the door, 

 were being invested with shot and game bags, when, 

 roused by an exclamation of the keeper, we witnessed 

 a curious scene. 



In a huge and inaccessible crag, on the east side of 

 Slieve More, and immediately above the coast-guard 

 station, the eagles had formed an aerie ; — a fissure in 

 the cliffs beyond the possibility of being disturbed by 

 the approach of man, afforded these birds, for many 

 years, a secure retreat. Here, annually, they pro- 

 duced their offspring, to the sad annoyance of the 

 islanders, and more particularly the villagers of Dugurth. 

 This morning they had descended from their rocky 



