1 . 
Cll IFFCHA1<^F. 
at a pace that promised to bring us to our destination before niglitfall. Not a bird, with the exeeption of 
two or three Grey Crows and a Peregrine, bad come under observation since leaving the loeb-side. In 
an old weatherbeaten fir in one of the pine forests, I well remembered that, when last in the district, an 
Eagle used to nest regularly. On inquiring of my companion if the bird still resorted to the same spot, 
be replied, after some slight hesitation, that in. the preceding season the nest bad been ‘ tampered with,’ 
and, to the best of bis belief, it was now untenanted. It was quite evident that Duncan knew more than be 
chose to relate concerning the robbery of the eggs ; but, from previous knowledge of bis character, I was well 
aware that there Avas more chance of bearing the true story concerning tlie fact by assuming an utter indilference 
to the subject. Consequently the next few hundred yards AAmre passed in absolute silence. We Avere noAV 
slovA'ly climbing a steep rise ; and by the number of times be turned bis liead toAvards the AA Ood, I could see 
poor Duncan Avas anxious to unburden bis conscience of any participation be might have bad in the crime. 
At length, after a good deal of beating about the bush, be remarked that, early in the spring of the previous 
year, be felt an irresistible inclination to become the possessor of an Eagle’s egg — to use bis OAAm words, 
uttered in a most deprecating manner, ‘just to take an egg to myself.’ In order to accomplish this object, 
and also to aA^oid being recognized in the locality, be crossed the country by a bill-track instead of folloAving 
the usual road, and, descending into the glen soon after dusk, reached the vicinity of the nest shortly before 
midnight. The Aveatber was tine and clear, and, being aa^cII acquainted Avitb the country, be made bis way 
rapidly through the Avood, scarcely turning to the right or left till be stood Avatbin some sixty or seventy 
yards of the tree. On casting bis eyes upAA^ards be Avas excessively startled on beholding close to the nest 
the dark figure of a human being clearly defined against the eastern sky. Hastily AvitbdraAving into a deep 
sbadoAV cast by a large slab of rock, be Avatcbed the actions of the unknoAvn sloAvly descending limb by limb 
from the tree. At last the descent Avas accomplished and the identity of the culprit at once revealed, as, Avbile 
retracing bis steps, be passed Avitbin three feet of the spot Avbere my informant Avas in biding. I shall not 
readily forget Duncan’s look of virtuous indignation Avbile expatiating on the Aviekedness of this reprehensible 
individual, Avbo turned out to be a character I Avas well acquainted Avitb, and Avbo, if current reports Avere to 
be credited, could scarcely find so trivial an indiscretion weigh heavily on bis mind. 
“ A thick drifting mist Avbieb came on as Ave reached the Ioav ground, and the Avind rising rapidly in fitful 
gusts, plainly indicated that it Avould be useless to AA'aste any time in searching some very likely cover Ave 
were noAV passing, on the chance of meeting Avitli Warl)lers. By the time our quarters Avere reached the fine 
rain bad increased to a settled doAvnpour, Avbieb continued till after sunset. The spot Avbere the birds bad 
been seen Avas only about a mile distant, and, hoping for finer Aveatber the following morning, Ave made 
arrangements for a start at daybreak. 
“ During the night the Avind grcAV still more blusterous, and on turning out it Avas evident that all chance 
of success Avas hopeless. After AAaiting an hour or two the pony was put to, and Ave made the best of our 
way to tbe spot by the loch-side Avdiere Ave bad baited on the preAuous day. Though remaining here for 
three hours, I failed to recognize more than two or three Warblers in even tbe most sheltered jAarts of the 
Avoods. A couple that I shot, being unable to distinguish tbe species among tbe AAmAung branches, turned 
out to be a illoAA'-W ren and a AVood-Wren. Before reaching our journey’s end aa'c again pulled up, and I 
closely examined some small birds noticed by tbe roadside ; but, although AVillow-AVrens Avere again met 
Avitb, my search for tbe Cbiffcbaff proved an utter failure.” 
In order that tbe nest and eggs, tbe situations resorted to for breeding-purposes, as Avell as tbe note and 
general habits of this species might be compared with tbe manners and customs of tbe AVillow-AAT'en, I have 
briefly referred to those subjects under tbe beading of that Warbler. 
Z-I) 
