114 



British Birds, with their Nests and Eggs. 



a dasli of clownishuess, and his falconship a vulturine tinge. Still, he is a noble 

 bird, powerful, independent, proud, and ferocious, regardless of the weal or woe 

 of others, and intent solel}^ on the gratification of his own appetite ; without 

 generosity, without honour, bold against the defenceless, but ever ready to sneak 

 from danger. Such is his nobility, about which men have so raved ! Suddenly 

 he raises his wings, for he has heard the whistle of the shepherd in the corrie, 

 and bending forward he springs into the air. Hardly do those vigorous flaps 

 serve at first to prevent his descent ; but now, curving upwards, he glides majes- 

 tically along. As he passes the corner of that buttressed and battlemented crag, 

 forth rush two Ravens from their nest, croaking fiercely. While one flies above 

 him the other steals beneath, and they essay to strike him, but dare not, for they 

 have an instinctive knowledge of the power of his grasp, and after following him 

 a little way they return to their home, vainly exulting in the thought of having 

 driven him from their neighbourhood. Bent on a far journey he advances in a 

 direct course, flapping his great wings at regular intervals, then shooting along 

 without seeming to move them. In ten minutes he has progressed three miles, 

 although he is in no haste, and now disappears behind the shoulder of the hill. 

 But we may follow him in imagination, for, his habits being well known to us, 

 we ma}^ be allowed the ornithological licence of tracing them in continuance. 

 Homeward bound, his own wants satisfied, he knows that his young must be 

 supplied with food. 



" Over the moors he sweeps, at the height of two or three hundred feet, 

 bending his course to either side, his wings wide-spread, his neck and feet retracted, 

 now beating the air, and again sailing smoothly along. Suddenly he stops, poises 

 himself for a moment, stoops, but recovers himself without reaching the ground. 

 The object of his regards, a Golden Plover, which he had spied on her nest, has 

 eluded him, and he cares not to pursue it. Now he ascends a little, wheels in 

 short curves, presently rushes down headlong, assumes the horizontal position 

 when close to the ground, prevents his being dashed against it by expanding his 

 wings and tail, thrusts forth his talons, and grasping a poor terrified Ptarmigan 

 that sat cowering among the grey lichens, squeezes it to death, raises his head 

 exultingly, emits a clear shrill cry, and springing from the ground pursues his 

 journey. 



" In passing a tall clifi" that overhangs a small lake, he is assailed by a fierce 

 Peregrine Falcon, which darts and plunges at him, as if determined to deprive 

 him of his booty, or drive him headlong to the ground. This proves a more 

 dangerous foe than the Raven, and the Eagle screams, yelps, and throws himself 

 into postures of defence ; but at length, the Hawk, seeing the tyrant is not bent 



