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NATURAL H1STOUX. 



smoothly along. Suddenly he stops, poises himself for a moment, stoops, but recovers himself 

 without touching the ground. The object of his regards, a Golden Plover, which he had spied 

 on her nest, 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, prevents his being dashed against it by expanding his wings and tail, thrusts forth his talons, 

 and grasping a poor terrified Ptarmigan that sat cowering among the grey lichens, squeezes it to death, 

 raises his head exultingly, emits a clear, shrill cry, and springing from the ground pursues his journey. 



GOLDEN EAGLE. 



" In passing 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 dangerous foe than the Raven, and the Eagle screams, yelps, 

 and throws himself into postures of defence ; but at length the Hawk, seeing the tyrant is not bent 

 on plundering his nest, leaves him to pursue his course unmolested. Over woods, and green fields, and 

 scattered hamlets speeds the Eagle, and now he enters the long valley of the Dee, near the upper end 

 of which is dimly seen through the grey mist the rock of his nest. About a mile from it he 

 meets his mate, who has been abroad on a similar errand, and is returning with a white Hare in 

 her talons. They congratulate each other with loud yelping cries, which rouse the drowsy shepherd 

 on the strath below, who, mindful of the lambs carried off in spring-time, sends after them his male- 

 diction. Now they reach their nest and are greeted by their young with loud clamour. 



" Let us mark the spot. It is a shelf of a rock, concealed by a projecting angle, so that it cannot 



