NISAETUS PENXATUS. 181 



nesting. On May 25, 1877, I took an egg from a nest, replacing 

 it with a hen's egg ; the next clay a second egg was laid. 



" On June 27th, 1879, I found a nest with a young bird about 

 three days old, and an addled egg ; on visiting this nest on 17th 

 July the eaglet was only just shooting its quill-feathers. On 

 July 1st I found another nest with two fully-fledged young, and 

 on the 14th another with one fully-grown young. Most eggs 

 that I have seen were stained with blood ; indeed, it is unusual 

 to get a clean specimen. On the 17th, when climbing to take 

 the young Eagle from the nest, an old bird dashed off the nest 

 and sat on a bough within thirty feet, screaming while I was 

 securing the young. This is the only instance in which a bird of 

 prey has ventured close to me when at their nests. 



" I brought up several of the young : at first they were bold 

 and fearless, but when full-grown became sulky and savage, and 

 would not take food from me. I broke them by starving, and 

 then putting food down near them, would read a book for an hour 

 perhaps, or more, when at last hunger got the better of their 

 temper, and they would suddenly dash at the meat, and, turning 

 their backs raise their wings and make a screen round their food, 

 within shelter of which they tore it to pieces. By degrees they 

 grew tamer and could be carried, coming regularly to the lure. I 

 flew two on Europa Flats, but was never certain of them. I kept 

 these, as well as other Eagles and Kites, on blocks with jesses 

 and a swivel and leash." 



Their principal food, judging from the examination of nests 

 and the crops of specimens, appears to be young rabbits. These 

 Eagles are easily recognized by their small size when on the wing 

 and by the light colour of the underparts. A local name which 

 I have heard for them is " Bacallao," from the fancied but far- 

 fetched resemblance in colour and shape which they are supposed to 

 have when flying overheard to that staple article of Spanish diet, a 

 split dried salt codfish ; but I may as well mention that I cannot 

 help thinking this name was fabricated for my special benefit. 



