a4 WILD SPORTS OF THE HIGHLANDS. [cHaP. x. 
a vermin-trap, and, by his struggles, had drawn the peg by which 
the trap was fastened to the ground, and had flown away with it. 
Nothing was seen for some weeks of eagle or trap, till one day 
my friend seeing some strange object hanging from the branch 
of a tree, went to examine what it was, and found the poor bird 
hanging by his leg, which was firmly held by the trap. The 
chain and peg had got fixed amongst the branches, and the poor 
eagle had died miserably from starvation in this position, sus- 
pended by the foot. Though certainly the eagles in some locali- 
ties commit great havoc amongst the lambs, and also destroy the 
grouse when no larger game offers itself, it would be a great 
pity that this noble bird should become extinct in our Highland 
districts, who, notwithstanding his carnivorous propensities, should 
be rather preserved than exterminated. How picturesque he 
looks, and how perfectly he represents the genius loci, as, perched 
on some rocky point or withered tree, he sits unconcerned in 
wind and storm, motionless and statue-like, with his keen, stern 
eye, however, intently following every movement of the shepherd 
or of the sportsman, who, deceived by his apparent disregard, 
attempts to creep within rifle-shot. Long before he can reckon 
on reaching so far with his bullet, the bird launches himself into 
the air, and gradually sweeping upwards, wheels high out of shot, 
leaving his enemy disappointed and vexed at. having crept in vain 
through bog and over rock in expectation of carrying home so 
glorious a trophy of his skill. When intent on his game, the 
eagle frequently will venture within a short distance of the 
grouse-shooter or deer-stalker. I have seen him pounce (no, 
that is not the proper word, for he rather rushes) down ona 
pack of grouse, and, with outspread wings, he so puzzles and 
confuses the birds, that he seizes and carries off two or three 
before they know what has happened, and in the very face of the 
astonished sportsman and his dogs. The mountain hare, too, is 
carried off by the eagle with as much apparent ease as the mouse 
is borne away by the kestrel. 
The marten and the wild cat are favourite morsels. A tame 
eagle which I kept for some time killed all the cats about the 
place. Sitting motionless on his perch, he waited quietly and 
seemingly unheeding till the unfortunate animal came within 
reach of his chain. Then down he flew, and surrounding the 
