158 WINGED ROBBERS AND NEST-BUILDERS, 



In striking contrast to the Refined Builders are 

 the savage architects or Platform Makers. The 

 falcons, hawks and eagles are of this class, and 

 the golden eagle may be considered the master 

 mechanic among the tribe. What a ferocious burg- 

 lar is this robber in the mountains ! So completely 

 armed is it with falcons and hooks, that when it 

 essays the tender occupation of home-building, its 

 murderous weapons seem to be out of place, and 

 so, at the best, it makes of it an awkward piece of 

 work. High up on the projecting shelf of some 

 rocky crag its nest is placed. Both the male and 

 female are engaged in carrying the material for the 

 foundation. This is composed of sticks, usually 

 quite long and oftentimes more than an inch in 

 diameter. As is the habit of all the tribe, it takes 

 the timber in the talons, never in the beak, and 

 holding it lengthwise with the body, that it may 

 not impede the flight more than possible, bears it 

 aloft. Hovering over the eyrie it drops its load. 

 Little attention is paid to adornment. Mass and 

 thickness to withstand the wind storm and to 

 protect the eggs and eaglets from the chill and 

 dampness of the rocks are the only points to be 

 looked after. This plain heap of sticks made level 

 on the top, and covered with soft lining, the king 



