BIRDS 197 



a yard over, made of twigs twisted together. Seldom a year 

 passes but they take the brood or eggs, and sometimes they 

 shoot one, sometimes the other parent; but the survivor has 

 always found a mate (probably in Ireland), and they breed near 

 the old place. By his description I learn that this species is 

 the Erne, the Vulture Albicilla of Linnaeus, in his last edition 

 (but in yours Falco albacilla), so consult him and Pennant 

 about it.' 1 



Gilpin adds his personal testimony to the harrying of eyries 

 about 1773, though his work did not appear until 1786 : ' We 

 left the Derwent in it's declivous course between two moun- 

 tains. One of them, under whose shadow the torrent pours, is 

 called Eagle's-cragg, as it's tremendous rocks are the chief habi- 

 tation of these birds ; and seem to be considered by them as a 

 sort of castle, which from time immemorial they have possessed. 

 It is a common species of traffic in this country to supply the 

 curious with young eagles ; in the taking of which the inhabi- 

 tants are very expert. They observe the nests from the bottom ; 

 and judging of the age of the young birds, they catch the oppor- 

 tunity when the old eagles are abroad, and let themselves down 

 by ropes from the summits of the cliffs. We saw one which 

 had just been taken. It was only six weeks old; and was nearly 

 of the size of a turkey-hen. It seemed to have acquired already 

 a full share of ferocity ; and screamed violently, if we offered 

 to touch it.' 2 



Hutchinson refers to Eagles at Derwentwater in the follow- 

 ing passage : ' In the cliffs in this part of the lake (near Bank 

 Park) eagles built their nests, far removed from gunshot, and 

 undisturbed by men ; for no adventurous foot ever dared assail 

 their lofty habitation. In the sight of the cottager, hither they 

 bring the spoils of the fold, or the field, to feed their young, 

 superior to the wrath of the injured.' 3 Brown follows in the 

 same strain : ' On the opposite shore you will find rocks and 



1 Works of Thomas Gray, vol. ii. p. 265. 



2 Lakes, vol. i. pp. 203, 204. 



3 An Excursion to the Lakes in Westmorland and Cumberland, in 1773 

 and 1774, p. 149. 



