1 88 The Red Deer ^ &c., in Glen Garry Forest. [Sess. 



sees an eagle or eagles, but it is only upon rare occasions that 

 they approach as near as in the instance I have just narrated. 

 The golden eagle is increasing in numbers, and is to be seen 

 at times in almost any part of the Scottish Highlands where 

 there are high mountains. It no doubt owes much to the 

 protection afforded it in the wild recesses of our deer forests, 

 and I do not remember any district where I have seen more 

 of those birds than around Loch Lochy. 



It is rather curious how some birds of prey increase and 

 decrease in Scotland, and the present position of the two 

 eagles that nest in this country may be given as an instance. 

 About forty or fifty years ago it was acknowledged that the 

 sea eagle or erne {Halimtus alhicilla) was the more numerous 

 of the two species in the British Isles. It formed its eyries 

 in almost every suitable situation among the cliffs of the 

 Western Mainland and Western Isles. Now it has nearly 

 disappeared, and, unless it obtains more protection than at 

 present, will cease to be a breeding species in Britain within 

 a few years. As regards the golden eagle, the position has 

 much improved, and from being the rarer British bird of the 

 two, it is now much the more numerous. It is gratifying 

 to have to record this increase, which is almost entirely due 

 to the instructions issued by landed proprietors for their pro- 

 tection. May I plead for the same amount of protection for 

 the sea eagle, as we can ill afford to lose even one wild bird 

 from the fauna of these islands. 



I have seen the sea eagle a number of times, but always at 

 a distance, except on one occasion. I was botanising in the 

 Applecross deer forest in West Eoss-shire, with the permission 

 of the proprietor, and was accompanied by his head forester. 

 We had been a long tramp, and were approaching Loch 

 Torridon, when I saw a splendid specimen of the sea eagle 

 suddenly appear over the mountain, and, passing quite near 

 us, settle down behind a low ridge of hill. The bird was 

 so near that we could see every detail of its plumage and 

 white tail distinctly. It was just disappearing when I pointed 

 out the eagle to the forester and told him what it was. He 

 said that I was quite mistaken, and that during the twenty- 

 seven years he had lived in the forest he had never seen such 

 a bird there. As he was very doubtful regarding the accuracy 



