4 
GOLDEN EAGLE. 
birds rested ; and placing a carefully-covered trap on each, we made them fast round the roots of the trees. 
On our way downhill, and within a quarter of a mile of the ledge, we came across a mountain-hare half 
consumed, which had evidently only been recently killed, and had probably just furnished a meal for the Eagle. 
The following day, having delayed looking at the traps till after it was likely the birds had fed and then retired 
to rest, we again passed over the same ground, and after having observed that the remains of the hare had been 
carefully picked, we were by no means surprised to find one taken. The trap was again carefully reset, and 
before a week had passed a couple more had shared the same fate. As I was then leaving the district, the 
traps were removed; hut in less than a fortnight I learned that another pair of birds, both immature, were 
noticed frequenting the spot ; and, again, a year later I found others still there. 
The first Eagle taken had but one foot ; and as the bird was a male in almost adult plumage, I thought 
that the ledge would probably have been his nesting-place had it not been for his mutilated condition. The 
next two captured were a young male and female only in the second year’s plumage ; and this at once put an 
end to my supposition that it was a pair that frequented the spot. It was not till the others were noticed 
that I had any idea how extensively the place was used ; and it appears strange that the birds should have sucb 
a fancy for this particular ledge, as they could with but little difficulty be stalked from three different quarters. 
It is by no means an uncommon occurrence to take an Eagle that shows signs of having at some time or 
other suffered from the effects of a steel trap. To hold a bird of the size and strength of an Eagle with any 
certainty requires a large and heavy trap ; they may at times be captured in one of the common size used for 
rabbits or Crows and other small vermin ; but for a single bird that is taken several most probably will make 
their escape, leaving behind them either toes or claws. If the traps could be visited regularly, the birds might 
possibly be secured ; but on the high moors snow is liable to fall at almost any time of year, while in some 
parts mist and fog for days may render crossing the hills and searching the ground utterly impossible. 
The Eagle may without fear of contradiction, I think, be termed essentially a lazy and indolent bird, 
unwilling or unable to capture for himself any prey that would require much exertion on his part. Hares or 
rabbits when surprised in the open most probably fall easy victims, while lambs or fawns arc far too feeble to 
cause him any great amount of trouble. I cannot call to mind a single instance where I have observed him 
in pursuit of any winged game that was not partially crippled by shot, while I have noticed scores of times 
that lie has contented himself by making an ignoble meal off some wretched Crow or other vermin that was 
struggling in a trap. A keeper in the north related to me the following incident ; and as it helps to illustrate 
the character of the bird, it may not be out of place. 
lie was on his rounds visiting the traps, when his attention was attracted by an Eagle which was rising a 
short distance in the air and again dashing down. On carefully approaching the spot (a rough and stony 
gully, where he was easily able to obtain a view) he discovered a wild cat held by a clam, and the Eagle 
swooping down, as he imagined, attempting to seize the cat. Every time the bird approached with outstretched 
talons the cat sprung forward to the fullest extent of its chain, and the Eagle sheared off. Crawling still 
nearer, lie was at last observed, and the bird reluctantly sailed away to a range of hills above the spot where the 
encounter had taken place. Making sure that the Eagle would speedily return, he killed the cat and left it as 
a bait; then, resetting his trap, lie threw the rabbit which had been his former bait on one side, and rapidly 
left, the spot. Returning after a few hours quite confident of finding the Eagle in the trap, he was greatly 
surprised to discover every thing apparently untouched. It was only when he had removed the cat, whose skin 
he required, and looked out for the bait previously used, that lie noticed the rabbit had disappeared from 
where he had flung it in the morning, and was nowhere to be found. Had he only thought for a moment, it 
ought to have been clear to him that the Eagle would never have attempted to interfere with the cat (a true 
wild eat is far too rough a customer to be tackled with impunity), and the hungry bird was simply endeavouring 
to reach the rabbit; even this proceeding the cat most forcibly resisted; and it was not till he returned and 
