158 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



In the thin quarto now hefore us we have the first part of a 

 work the merit of which lies in its being entirely original. We 

 have been so long accustomed to refer to standard works of 

 reference, which, though excellent of their kind, are after all 

 but compilations, that it is refreshing to take up a book in which 

 the writer tells us nothing but what he has himself observed, 

 and in most cases noted down on the spot. He commences with 

 the birds of prey, and, in a few pages of transcripts from his 

 journals, gives us more real information about Eagles, Ospreys, 

 and Kites, their haunts, food, changes of plumage, mode of 

 nesting, and so forth, than is contained in any half-dozen books 

 on British birds that might be selected. 



About many of the rarer species, and more particularly 

 Eagles, there is a vast amount of misconception prevalent 

 amongst those who have never had the opportunity of observing 

 them in a state of nature. The Golden Eagle, for example, is 

 usually styled " a noble bird," " of majestic flight," disdaining 

 the humbler quarry, or carrion that crows and buzzards delight 

 in ; and so forth. But Mr. Booth, from his own observation, 

 has a very different story to tell. Writing of this bird, he 

 says : — 



•'The Golden Eagle may, without fear of contradiction, I think, be 

 termed essentially a lazy and indolent bird, unwilling or unable to capture 

 for himself any prey that would require much exertion on his part. Hares 

 or rabbits, when surprised in the open, most probably fall easy victims, 

 while lambs or fawns are far too feeble to cause him any great amount 

 of trouble. I cannot call to mind a single instance where I have observed 

 him in pursuit of any winged game that was not partially crippled by shot, 

 while I have noticed scores of times that he has contented himself by 

 making an ignoble meal off some wretched crow or other vermin that was 

 struggling in a trap. 



" A keeper in the north related to me the following incident ; and, as it 

 helps to illustrate the character of the bird, it may not be out of place : — 



" He was on bis rounds visiting the traps, when his attention was 

 attracted by an Eagle which was rising a short distance in the air and again 

 dashing down. On carefully approaching the spot (a rough and strong 

 gully, where he was able to obtain a view), he discovered a Wild Cat held by 

 a clam, and the Eagle swooping down, as he imagined, attempting to seize 

 the cat. Every time the bird approached with outstretched talons the cat 

 sprang forward to the fullest extent of its chain, and the Eagle sheared off. 

 Crawling still nearer, he was at last observed, and the bird reluctantly sailed 



