168 
GOLDEN EAGLE. 
top of the precipice. It is composed of dead 
branches, roots of heather, &c. entangled strongly 
together, and in considerable quantity, but with- 
out any lining in the inside ; the eggs are two 
in number, white, with pale brown or purplish 
blotches, most numerous and largest at the 
thicker end. (See Plate XI. fig. 1.) During the 
season of incubation, the quantity of food that is 
procured and brought hither is almost incredible ; 
it is composed of nearly all the inhabitants, or 
their young, of those wild districts called forests, 
which, though indicating a wooded region, are 
often tracts where for miles around a tree is not 
seen. Hares, lambs, and the young of deer and 
roebuck, grouse, black game, ptarmigan, curlews, 
and plovers, all contribute to the feast. 
The manner in which the eagles hunt or survey 
the ground is by soaring above, often to an 
immense height ; the ascent is performed by 
circles, a beautiful appearance in flight. When 
the prey is perceived, it is rushed upon by a rapid 
and instantaneous sweep ; and surprised ere it can 
escape, or paralyzed by terror, the object is gene- 
rally at once seized. The weight of the birds and 
the great resistance presented to the air by their 
large bodies and expansive wings, prevent pursuit 
being often tried, though we have instances men- 
tioned. Montague relates one where a wounded 
grouse was seized before the guns could be 
