176 



FALCOMD^E. 



overhung that, though he could nearly touch the eggs, he could 

 not take them, so was obliged to, reascend unsuccessful. The 

 next day we arranged with improved gear to renew the attempt ; 

 but a very officious official kindly reported me to the authorities 

 as disobeying an ancient garrison order which prohibits animals 

 and birds on the Rock from being destroyed ; so I had to eat 

 " humble pie " and give the affair up as a bad business. The 



LAJA DE LA ZAEGA, NESTING-PLACE OF BONELLl's EAGLE AND GRIFFONS. 



following notes as to the time of nesting may be interesting. 

 Sergeant Munro, of the Royal Artillery, in charge of the signal- 

 station, assisted me with two or three of the dates during my 

 absence from the Rock. 



In 1869 the Eagles nested on the lower site, about 300 feet 

 from the base of the Rock, which here ends on the steep sand 

 slope south of the village of Catalan Bay. 



In 1870 they used the upper nest, and two eggs were laid ; 



