BIRDS. 
167 
two years ago, and, I believe, has them preserved in his 
house" (0. MSS., 1868). 
The roi;gh-legged buzzard appears very frequently among 
the higher hills of Berriedale, Ousdale, and the Ord. Prior 
to 1878, and between 1874 and 1878, Donald Eoss, game- 
keeper, killed six examples — three females, two males, and 
one young bird. Three of these were sent to Mr. L. Dunbar 
for preservation (Dunbar), 
Mr. Doeg also received a male and a female rough- 
legged buzzard obtained at Ousdale, and sent in the flesh, 
28th November 188.3, and there are numerous specimens 
in the Welbeck Abbey collection, " one," Mr. J. Whitaker 
informs us, " a very dark-coloured one." A very fine old 
male was recorded as shot in Caithness some years ago 
by Dr. J. A. Smith in the Proc. Royal Phys. Soc. Eclin., 
26th Feb. 1874.. 
168. Aquila clanga, Pall. Larger Spotted Eagle. 
169. Aquila chrysaetos (L.). The Golden Eagle. 
Eesident, still abundant, and generally distributed wherever 
suitable rest and quiet is afforded. Not now so much 
killed down as formerly, when, about 1834, in three years' 
time no less than 171 full-grown eagles, besides 53 young- 
birds and eggs, were destroyed (Selby ; and see Appendix to 
this volume).^ In 1877 Mr. Crawford, Tongue, considered 
there had been a decrease of eagles owing to extravagant 
prices offered by collectors. It appeared to have become very 
rare, verging on extinction, by 1848 (WoUey's Egg-Books). 
In 1886 young were captured near Brora {cmct. Savile G-. 
Eeid). It is not our intention here to make public all the 
eyries of tlie county, though we believe almost every site is 
known to us. Most abundant in the west and north, rarer 
in the east and south ; we are, however, glad to be able to 
add that one eyrie, for years deserted, and situated in the 
