THE eagle's cliff. 1 25 



CHAPTER XVIII. 



From the scarcity of grouse in Achil, we altered our 

 original plans, and decided upon sending our dogs back 

 to the Lodge by a rowing-boat, and going in the hooker 

 to visit the island of Inniskea. 



After breakfast we proceeded to embark our personals ; 

 and having despatched our heavy luggage by the atten- 

 dants, whom we ordered home, we ascended the hill 

 (while the crew were clearing and baiting their spillets), 

 in the vague hope of getting a shot at those predatory 

 birds, of whose spoliations we had heard so much on the 

 preceding evening. 



On reaching the bottom of the rock in whose face the 

 aerie stands, we discovered that the old birds were 

 absent ; and as the nest was formed in a deep fissure, 

 we could not ascertain its situation exactly. But that the 

 eagles' dwelling was above us was evident enough : 

 the base of the cliff was strewn with bones and feathers, 

 and the accumulation of both was extraordinary. The 

 bones of rabbits, hares, and domestic fowls, were most 

 numerous ; but those of smaller game, and various 

 sorts of fish, were visible among the heap. 



Many attempts are annually made to destroy this 

 predatory family ; but it is impossible to rob the nest. 

 Situated two hundred feet above the base of the rock, 

 it is, of course, unapproachable from below ; and as the 

 cliffs beetle over it frightfully, to assail it from above 

 would be a hazardous essay. An enterprising peasant, 

 some years since, was let down by a rope and basket ; 

 but he was fiercely attacked by the old birds, and the 

 basket nearly overturned. Fortunately, the cord wa$ 



