THE GOLDEN EAGLE. 69 



In their strength they are proof against the elements, 

 for the strongest gale does not much impede their mo- 

 tion ; and their powers of endurance enable them to 

 sustain very great casualties in respect of food. In 

 many parts of Scotland, where they are much more 

 numerous than in England, there are pairs that have 

 nestled in the same cliffs, beyond the memory of the 

 inhabitants. One of these places is Lochlee, at the head 

 of the North Esk in Forfarshire. That lake lies in a 

 singular basin, between perpendicular cliffs on the 

 north, and high and precipitous mountains on the south. 

 A pair of eagles inhabit each side, so that three may 

 sometimes be seen floating in the air at once ; but 

 those that have their abode in the inaccessible cliffs on 

 the north, seem to be lords of the place, as the 

 south ones do not venture to beat the valley while these 

 are on the wing. Nor is it in their native freedom only 

 that eagles attain a great age ; for there was one kept 

 in a state of confinement at Vienna for one hundred 

 and four years. 



The female lays usually two eggs, which are sup- 

 posed to produce a male and a female ; sometimes she 

 lays only one, and very rarely three. The eggs are of 

 a dirty-white colour with reddish spots. The young 

 are produced after thirty days' incubation. When they 

 come out of the shell, they are covered with a white 

 down ; and their first feathers are of a pale yellow. 

 They are exceedingly voracious; and the old ones, 

 though they drive them from the eyrie as soon as they 

 are able to shift for themselves, are, up to that period, 

 equally assiduous in finding them food, and bold in 

 defending them from attack. The vicinity of an eagle's 



