54 WILD SPORTS OF THE HIGHLANDS. [CHAP. x. 



a vermin-trap, and, by his struggles, had drawn the peg by which 

 the trap was fastened to the ground, and had flown away with it. 

 Nothing was seen for some weeks of eagle or trap, till one day 

 my friend seeing some strange object hanging from the branch 

 of a tree, went to examine what it was, and found the poor bird 

 hanging by his leg. which was firmly held by the trap. The 

 chain and peg had got fixed amongst the branches, and the poor 

 eagle had died miserably from starvation in this position, sus- 

 pended by the foot. Though certainly the eagles in some locali- 

 ties commit great havoc amongst the lambs, and also destroy the 

 grouse when no larger game offers itself, it would be a great 

 pity that this noble bird should become extinct in our Highland 

 districts, who, notwithstanding his carnivorous propensities, should 

 be rather preserved than exterminated. How picturesque he 

 looks, and how perfectly he represents the genius loci, as, perched 

 on some rocky point or withered tree, he sits unconcerned in 

 wind and storm, motionless and statue-like, with his keen, stern 

 eye, however, intently following every movement of the shepherd 

 or of the sportsman, who, deceived by his apparent disregard, 

 attempts to creep within rifle-shot. Long before he can reckon 

 on reaching so far with his bullet, the bird launches himself into 

 the air, and gradually sweeping upwards, wheels high out of shot, 

 leaving his enemy disappointed and vexed at having crept in vain 

 through bog and over rock in expectation of carrying home so 

 glorious a trophy of his skill. When intent on his game, the 

 eagle frequently will venture within a short distance of the 

 grouse-shooter or deer-stalker. I have seen him pounce (no, 

 that is not the proper word, for he rather rushes) down on a 

 pack of grouse, and, with outspread wings, he so puzzles and 

 confuses the birds, that he seizes and carries off two or three 

 before they know what has happened, and in the very face of the 

 astonished sportsman and his dogs. The mountain hare, too, is 

 carried off by the eagle with as much apparent ease as the mouse 

 is borne away by the kestrel. 



The marten and the wild cat are favourite morsels. A tame 

 eagle which I kept for some time killed all the cats about the 

 place. Sitting motionless on his perch, he waited quietly and 

 seemingly unheeding till the unfortunate animal came within 

 reach of his chain. Then down he flew, and surrounding th* 1 



