134 ACCIPITRE9. 



When the eye has guided the descent, and the talons have 

 taken effect, the office of the eye is at an end, and the work 

 of death is committed to instruments admirably fitted for 

 carrying it into effect. In general the prey is borne off, but 

 in some cases it is devoured on the spot, that taking place 

 of course at those times when the bird has only herself to 

 provide for. 



In winter, when her pastures are covered with feet or even 

 with fathoms of snow, the eagle is often for weeks together 

 without food. This may be one of the causes (for all pheno- 

 mena, whether of birds or of anything else, have causes) why 

 she drives the young not only from the eyrie but from her 

 haunt generally before the intensity*of winter sets in ; and it 

 is said that she drives them lower down the country, where 

 the chances of food are more numerous. 



Thus the instinct which we are apt to regard as an unkind 

 one, is the very best adapted for the preservation of all ; and 

 the eagle is, in her way, just as tender a mother as any other 

 animal. As it is necessary for her brood to grow fast and 

 get strong before the inclement season sets in, she is most 

 indefatigable and most successful in supplying them with 

 food, and equally daring in the defence of them against any 

 intruders that may have the temerity to invade an eagle's 

 nest; and when they are so far matured that they can kill 

 prey for themselves, she drives them down where prey is 

 more easily obtained, while she herself remains to brave the 

 winter at the very throne of its dominion. Herein we may 

 see a beautiful instance of that balance and reaction which 

 can be traced through all the works and operations of nature. 

 Population and cultivation narrow the bounds and diminish 

 the number of eagles ; but as there is a constant tendency in 

 the eagles to spread and extend their territory and their 

 numbers, that tendency instantly acts upon the withdrawal 

 of the restraint ; so that when the eagle becomes necessary 



