IN SEARCH OF PREY. 163 



grasp ; and after following him a little way they return 

 to their home, exulting in the thought that they have 

 driven him from their neighbourhood. But on a far jour- 

 ney he advances in a direct course, flapping his great 

 wings at regular intervals, then shooting along without 

 appearing to move them. In ten minutes he has ad- 

 vanced three miles, though in no apparent haste. Over 

 the moors he sweeps, at the height of two or three hundred 

 feet, bending his course to either side, his wings wide 

 spread, his neck and feet retracted, now beating the air, 

 and again sailing smoothly. Suddenly he stops, poises 

 himself for a moment, stoops, but recovers himself before 

 reaching the gi^ound. The object of his regards — a golden 

 plover — has eluded him, and he cares not to pursue it. 

 Now he ascends a little, wheels in short curves, presently 

 rushes down headlong, assumes the horizontal position 

 when close to the ground, and prevents himself from being 

 dashed against it by expanding his wings and tail ; he now 

 thrusts forth his talons, and grasping a poor terrified ptarmi- 

 gan that sat cowering among the gray lichens, squeezes it 

 to death. He raises his head exultingly, emits a shrill cry, 

 and springing from the ground, pursues his journey. In pas- 

 sing a tall cliff that overhangs a small lake, he is assailed 

 by a fierce peregrine falcon, which darts and plunges at 

 him, as if determined to deprive him of his booty or drive 

 him headlong to the ground. This proves a more danger- 

 ous foe than the raven, and the eagle yelps, screams, and 

 throws himself into postures of defence ; but at length the 

 falcon, seeing that the tyrant is not bent on plundering 

 her nest, leaves him to pursue his course unmolested." 



