SEASON FOR TAKING E Y ASSES 453 



were loath to destroy such beautiful birds, but were 

 ordered to do so, even though they might be on the nest. 



The longer the young birds are left in the nest with 

 the parent birds the better, nor should they ever be 

 taken while the white down is on them. The season 

 for taking them varies in different localities and accord- 

 ing to the climate, season, etc. I have known them in 

 Ireland fit to fly in the month of May ; but as a rule, 

 throughout Britain, they are not ready much before the 

 loth or 20th of June. 



They may be said to be fit to take when the tail is 

 some three inches in length and the white down has 

 been replaced by feathers. If, however, they are 

 taken before this period they are very likely to die of 

 a disease called ' cramp ' within a few days of their 

 leaving the nest. 



In every case where this disease appears the bird 

 should be at once destroyed, for it is an incurable com- 

 plaint, and the poor birds suffer the most excruciating 

 agony. The disease may be easily recognised by the 

 frequent cries of pain, the muscles contracting so as to 

 bend the soft bones until they break, thereby rendering 

 the bird useless. 



The eyrie should be watched by means of a glass, 

 and the proper time to take the young birds can be 

 thereby easily ascertained. Keepers can generally form 

 a very good opinion as to when it is advisable to take 

 the birds, which they do by being let down to the nest 

 by means of a rope held from above. The young birds 

 should be well fed and put carefully into a basket lined 

 with straw (not hay) ; then, when it has been carefully 

 tied up, the basket must be very quietly drawn up. 

 The operation requires great care, as the least damage 



