11 
quits its prey, which it seizes most dexterously 
in the air as it falls. But although it feeds 
chiefly on fish, it is probable every animal 
of inferior strength suffers from its rapacity. 
The female before noticed was observed, 
at different times, before it was killed, to 
pounce upon, and to carry away, wild fowl 
from out of the decoy. 
The Sea Eagle rises in the air to an asto- 
nishing height, having been observed, from 
the top of the highest mountains in Scotland* 
soaring at so great a distance, as to appear 
scarcely larger than a swallow. 
The contest between birds of prey, in the 
season of love, is sometimes extremely des- 
perate, and not unfrequently fatal. 
" Two of this species (says Montagu) con- 
tending in the air, over the extensive lake of 
Loch Lomond, in the Scottish Highlands, 
both at last became so firmly grappled to 
each other by their talons, that they were 
precipitated into the water. The uppermost 
regained the power of its wings, but the 
other was taken alive by a Highlander, who 
witnessed the scene^ and who waited till the 
wind had wafted it near the shore/' 
b 2 
