Natural History of Ireland. 47 



after, on reaching the northern side, I perceived another sitting on 

 her nest about a fourth of the way from the summit of the preci- 

 pice ; when she flew ofi^, two eggs, greenish-white in colour, like 

 those of the swan (Cygnus olor) were exposed to view. Very near 

 to this was another nest at a similar distance from the top, but it 

 was untenanted, and from its proximity to the other, I should ra- 

 ther suppose that both had belonged to the same pair of eagles in 

 difl"erent years, than that they were occupied by two pairs at the 

 same time. But less than a furlong distant to the eastward of the 

 Head, there was a nest similarly situated, and containing two eaglets. 

 To obtain these, we, on the 28th of June, engaged a man accustomed 

 to the apparently hazardous exploit of descending precipices, and, a 

 rope being attached to his body for safety, and a basket to his back 

 for the reception of the eaglets, he was lowered to the nest, from 

 which he brought up the birds without injury either to himself or 

 them. The parents were most vociferous during the robbing of their 

 eyrie, taking hurried flights, evidently in despair, towards the nest, 

 but did not attack nor even closely approach the plunderer, nor did 

 they come within fair gun-shot of the rock. The eaglets were al- 

 most entirely feathered. The flrst layer of this nest, as well as that 

 of the other two, was composed of strong stems of heather ; being 

 unable to see the lining, I had it brought up, and found it to be the 

 tender twigs of heath, and plants of the T.uzula sylvatica, both of 

 which grow on the summit of the cliff. About the nest there were 

 many legs of rabbits and the remains of puffins (Mormon fratercula, 

 Temm.) 



On the following day I saw five sea eagles in mature plumage,* 

 all that I understood were then at " the Horn." The bird we raised 

 from the nest containing eggs, the gamekeeper thought had no part- 

 ner, as he killed a male bird a few weeks before. At three of these 

 eagles I gazed a long time, both when they were at rest and on 

 wing ; at first through a telescope, but permitting a much nearer 

 approach than was anticipated, I had afterwards an excellent and 

 near view of them. The head and neck in every position, and I 

 looked attentively to this point, appeared almost as white as the 

 tailjt and was so distinguished from a great distance, more espe- 



* Excepting eaglets, the gamekeeper has never seen any but white -tailed or 

 adult eagles here at this season. 



f In the colour of the head and neck in preserved specimens of adult birds 

 (having the tail pure white) which I have examined, there is considerable dif- 

 ference in this respect, and, though none has this portion of the plumage alto- 



