with Notes on the Water Shrew and Thrush. 235 
neck of land), saw an eagle rising above the steep mountains 
that enclose the narrow valley. ‘The eagle himself was, in- 
deed, no unusual sight; but there is something so imposing 
and majestic in the flight of this noble bird, while he soars 
upwards in spiral circles, that it fascinates ae attention of 
most people.* But the spectators were soon aware of some- 
thing peculiar in the flight of the bird they were sie hg 
He used his wings violently; and the strokes were often re 
peated, as if he had been alarmed and hurried by al 
agitation ; and they noticed, at the same time, that he wheeled 
in circles that seemed constantly decreasing, while his ascent 
was proportionally rapid. ‘The now idle haymakers drew 
together in close consultation on the singular case, and conti- 
nued to keep their eyes on the seemingly distressed eagle, 
until he was nearly out of sight, rising still higher and higher 
into the air. In a short aiale. hence they were all con- 
vinced that he was again seeking the earth, evidently not as 
he ascended, in spiral curves; it was like something falling, 
and with great rapidity. But, as he approached the eround, 
they clearly saw he was tumbling in his fall like a shot bird ; 
the convulsive fluttering of his powerful wings stopping the 
descent but very little, until he fell at a small distance from 
the men and boys of the party, who had naturally run for- 
ward, highly excited by the strange occurrence. A large 
black tailed weasel or coat ran from the body as they came 
near, turned with the usual nonchalance and impudence of the 
tribe, stood up upon its hind legs, crossed its fore paws over 
its nose, and surveyed its enemies a moment or two (as they 
often do when no dog is near), and bounded into a saugh 
bush. The king of the air was dead ; and, what was more 
surprising, he was covered with his own blood: and, upon 
further Exaniudiiont they found his throat cut, and the stoat 
has been suspected as the regicide unto this day.” 
This singular story I always looked upon as too good to 
be true, taal lately a friend mentioned the following fact that 
came under his own observation :— A light snow covered the 
ground; and he, having walked out to an adjoining hill to 
meet with one of his shepherds, fell in with the track of one 
of these weasels, which is easily to be distinguished from that 
of the smaller species, by the larger footprint and length of the 
spring, among the snow. He followed the track for some 
time, for his amusement, along the side of the hill, until he 
came to the marks where a pair of grouse had been sitting, 
* Tn general, the motion of his wings is hardly perceptible: an impetus is 
given, but the stroke is far between, and he seems impelled by some invi- 
sible power, 
Ri 
