THE SEA-EAGLE. 137 



THE SEA-EAGLE (FalcO albicillo). 



This is the "erne" or " bog eagle" of the Scotch, in whose 

 country, especially the parts of it in which there are wide 

 morasses, it is still not rare. Like the former it is fond of 

 wild, retired, and mountainous places ; but it is far more 

 discursive, and often ranges into England, and breeds in 

 some of the wilder places of that country, where it is probably 

 the only eagle that is now to be met with in a state of nature. 

 It is most abundant on the rocky islands and rugged coast 

 towards the north ; and though it is sometimes seen consi- 

 derably in advance over the cultivated grounds, it does not 

 nestle there, neither does it get so far up the mountains as 

 the golden eagle. It is, however, the species which is most 

 generally seen. Hence it is probable that it is " the eagle " 

 of ordinary conversation in both ends of the island, and in 

 all parts of the country, save those which only the others 

 frequent; and that consequently many of the anecdotes that 

 are told of the golden eagle really belong to the present 

 species. 



It nestles in rocks, and also in trees, or on the ground in 

 thick bushes, and the number of its brood is nearly the same 

 as that of the other. The eyrie, however, is less a dwelling 

 for life than that of the golden eagle, because the bird is 

 more a wanderer, and in all probability nestles in different 

 places during successive years : that will, however, depend a 

 good deal on the nature of the locality ; if there is a sufficient 

 supply of food, from field, marsh, and flood, upon all of which 

 it levies contributions, the cause of migration is diminished, 

 and the migration itself becomes the less necessary. It is 

 upon the same account less necessary for the sea-eagle to 

 drive its young away from any particular haunt, inasmuch as 

 the old ones may change theirs. No doubt some of these 

 birds continue for years many years, in the same places; 



