120 THE SEA-EAGLE. 



scent, as well as sight. On the coast of Sutherland, 

 where the rocks harbour a number of these eagles, 

 which prey upon the inhabitants of the sea and the 

 flocks of the people indiscriminately, the following is 

 mentioned, as a successful way of capturing the spoiler : 

 " A miniature house, or at least, the wall part of it, is 

 built upon the ground frequented by the eagle, and an 

 opening left at the foot of the wall, sufficient for the 

 egress of the bird. To the outside of this opening, a 

 bit of strong skeiny (packthread) is fixed, with a noose 

 on the one end, and the other end returning through 

 the noose. After this operation is finished, a piece of 

 carrion is thrown into the house, which the eagle finds 

 out and perches upon. It eats voraciously, and when 

 it is fully satiated, it never thinks of taking its flight 

 immediately upward, unless disturbed, provided it can 

 find an easier way out of the house ; for it appears, 

 that it is not easy for it to begin its flight, but in an 

 oblique direction; consequently, it walks deliberately 

 out at the opening left for it, and the skeiny being fitly 

 contrived and placed for the purpose, catches hold of 

 it, and fairly strangles it." 



It would require many volumes to detail the habits of 

 all the feathered tribes that appear seasonally or con- 

 stantly in the neighbourhood of lakes ; and the circum- 

 stances of climate and situation, as well as those 

 instincts of the birds themselves which cannot be ex- 

 plained, farther increase the difficulty. The most 

 remarkable of those that wade in the shallows, and 

 skim the waters, for predatory purposes, have been 

 mentioned. The birds which are found in the rocks, 

 woods, and coppices, near lakes, will be more properly 



