CH. VII. EGGS OF EAGLES. 109 



taste and acute perception that no trick of the trade 

 can impose upon. 



Mr. Hancock's collection comprises very nearly 

 every British bird's egg, and many varieties of each 

 kind, which he has collected, from public-spirited 

 motives, at an incalculable outlay of time and ex- 

 pense, aided by a perfect and intimate knowledge of 

 every bird, both in its living state and habits and 

 in its anatomical structure and formation. 



Notwithstanding, as I say, the prices given by 

 London collectors, the sea eagle at any rate is tole- 

 rably common on the northern coast and islands. 

 From its habit of building principally on the most 

 inaccessible rocks and cliffs of the sea-coast, its nest 

 is more secure than that of the golden eagle, which, 

 building farther inland, and frequently in more 

 accessible places, is liable to be killed, or to have 

 its nest taken by shepherds, keepers, &c. 



The eggs of these two eagles are very similar to 

 each other ; but the different specimens of each sort 

 vary considerably in size and colour. I have seen 

 golden eagles' eggs of many different shades, from 

 one of a pure white to one covered with light red 

 spots : and the white-tailed eagle's eggs vary in the 

 same manner. The eggs of both have a fine strong 

 character about them, which is difficult to under- 



