THE EAGLE. 
129 
he waited with great impatience and curiosity, when 
the approach of the old Eagles was announced by 
loud hissings, which he soon perceived to be uttered 
by two young ones crawling from the extremity of 
their hole, to receive a fine fish presented by the 
parent, as it held itself to the projecting rock, some- 
thing after the manner of a House Swallow, its tail 
spread out, and its wings partly so. That they might 
not be observed, or frighten the birds away, they 
crouched down, and kept perfect silence, not whisper- 
ing a single word. In a few minutes the other parent 
joined its mate: it also had brought a fish, but being 
not so bold, or more suspicious, before it ventured 
to alight, it glanced its quick and piercing eye around, 
and instantly catching sight of the spectators, dropped 
the prey, and with a loud shriek communicated its 
alarm to the other, which, loosening its hold, hovered 
over their heads, keeping up a sort of growling 
threatening cry of intimidation. 
At the same moment, the young birds, as if aware 
of some danger, shrunk back, and buried themselves 
in the chink of the rock; and, as further waiting 
would have been unavailing, the observers went to 
the bottom of the precipice, and picked up the fish 
that had fallen ; it proved to be a sort of large perch, 
weighing about five pounds and a half, the upper 
part of the head was broken in, and the back much 
torn by the talons of the Eagle. The sport being 
over, as they journeyed home, they agreed to return, 
and endeavour to procure, dead or alive, both the 
old and young birds. 
Accordingly, on the third day following, they as- 
sembled with some additional hands, well provided 
VOL. i. K 
