The Golden Eagle. 187 
sticks, and generally built on the point of an inacces- 
sible rock, whence it darts upon its prey with the rapi- 
dity of lightning. The period of incubation is said to 
be thirty days ; and when the young are hatched, both 
the male and female exert all their industry to provide 
for their wants. In the county of Kerry a peasant is 
said once to have formed the resolution of plundering an 
Eagle's nest built upon a small island in the beautiful 
lake of Killarney. He accordingly swam to the island 
while the parents, were away ; and, after robbing the 
nest of the young, was preparing to swim back with the 
Eaglets tied in a string ; but while he was yet up to the 
chin in the water, the old Eagles returned, and, missing 
their family, fell upon the invader with such fury, that, 
in spite of all his resistance, thev despatched him with 
their beaks and talons. 
Another native of Kerry was more fortunate in his 
dealings with the Eagles. During a season of scarcity 
he obtained sustenance for himself and his family by 
plundering an Eagle's nest of the food brought in by the 
parents for their young ones : and he was so artful as to 
prolong the supply by cutting the wings of the Eaglets 
so as to prevent their flying, and thus compelled the old 
birds to continue their attention to their progeny. 
