6 ERNE. 
returns to the same breeding-places for several years 
in succession; probably indeed nothing but some “pres- 
sure from without” would prevent its always doing so 
for the period of its own natural life, and then trans- 
mitting it as an heir-loom to its descendants. 
As is the case with the rest of the tribe to which 
it belongs, the eggs of the Sea Eagle are, by a merciful 
provision, few in number, one, or at the most two, though 
some say three, and that the third is always an addled 
one. They are white, yellowish white, or yellowish 
brown, and some specimens are wholly covered with 
light red spots, while others are only dotted over at 
the larger end. 
One of these birds has been known to lay an egg 
after having been in confinement for more than twenty 
years. 
The young are hatched about the beginning of June, 
and become fully fledged about the middle of August. 
