10 FALCONIDJE. 



be formed from the fact, mentioned by an eminent author, 

 that in one nest the number of sixteen dead birds lay piled 

 about the gaping young. 



When searching for food the sparrow-hawk flies a short 

 distance from the ground, and if unsuccessful perches on some 

 commanding situation to observe. 



There! look at that old gate, and the little slim pirate 

 perched almost upright upon the topmost bar, his bright eye 

 observant of everything about him. A blackbird hops out 

 from the hedge, and prepares to make a meal of some stray 

 worm. But, alas! for the expectations of men and merles, 

 both being doomed to disappointment, the worm survives 

 another day. A slight move of the hawk is seen by the black- 

 bird, and the blackbird's loud, startled cry of alarm is uttered 

 in terrified haste. A whir, and down with lightning-like ra- 

 pidity darts the hawk, and away with the pursuer and the 

 pursued, both for life ; one to take, the other to save it. The 

 blackbird's sanctuary is close at hand in the hedgerow, and 

 every nerve is strained to reach it ; but a hurried clutch, a 

 short cry, and the unequal race is over. The sparrow-hawk 

 stands over his prostrate prey, and screams his exulting war- 

 whoop like the red man by the Ohio. His wings fall like a 

 curtain, and enfold the death-struggle of the lovely songster, 

 while his sharp talons are finishing the strife beneath. 



Indigenous. 



GENUS IV. AQUILA (EAGLE). 

 SPECIES 10 THE GOLDEN EAGLE. 



Aquila chrys&tos. Linn. 

 Aigle royal. Temm. 



Black Eagle. Ring-Tailed Eagle. 



THE most majestic of our native birds, the appearance of the 

 golden eagle is one of the most beautiful sights nature affords 

 to the observer. The same when sailing down the valley 

 from his eyrie on the mountain, we look upon his well- 

 braced and muscular proportions, when reft from his " pin- 

 nacle of power," and lifeless upon the table of the anatomist. 



Stamped by nature as a robber, his commission for plunder 

 is exhibited in the powerful talons she has armed him with, 

 and the strong, hooked bill which aids him in destroying the 

 objects of his pursuit. 



In Ireland we might denominate the golden eagle as a rare 

 bird, so seldom is it obtained by the bird-preservers of the 

 city. Frequenting the most remote and inaccessible haunts 



