226 



DIURNAL BIRDS OF PREY. 



ducks, and wading birds ; while more rarely it seizes the fawns of the prongbuck 

 and various deer, as well as lambs. A correspondent of Captain Bendire 

 relates, on native authority, that a golden eagle once struck down and killed a full- 

 grown black-tailed deer which had been badly wounded. In devouring their prey, 



IMMATURE GOLDEN EAGLE. 



these birds usually swallow the smaller mammals, hair and all, although birds are 

 generally previously plucked. 



In Northern Europe the golden eagle begins to breed in March or the early 

 part of April, frequently while the ground is still covered with snow, and generally 

 occupies the same eyrie for many successive years. The nest is of large size and 

 composed of sticks, in the shape of a flattened platform, and lined with roots, dry 

 grass, heather, moss, or fern, but never in the Old World with feathers. In Shetland, 

 where sticks are scarce, the material may be long rope-like seaweed. It appears 



