IO 
THE NATURALIST AND COLLECTOR 
revolver. Directly the other eagle 
came soaring out from the cliff and 
began circling around, giving vent to 
shrill screams or whistles. We both 
now concluded that probably the birds 
would not venture to attack us and so 
B-got ready to lower me over the 
edge. If the birds should not prove 
hostile everything pointed to success, 
for Mr. B-is a man of great strength 
and the rope was warranted. So, first 
seeing that my bag was secured, and 
revolver in easy reach, I gave him the 
word and in another moment was 
dangling in the air. I at once found 
that the cliff shelved in almost from 
the top, and as in most places I could 
not touch the rock, I soon began to 
spin around slowly, which did not add 
to my comfort. I shall never forget 
the first sensation of the moment. 
Though I was positive that there was 
little or no absolute danger, yet I was 
in some way far from feeling- secure. 
Suppose the strands of the rope should 
wear away by the friction against the 
sharp edge of the cliff, or that in some 
way B-should for a moment lose 
his hold, or if this or that—- and then 
I would “brace” and try and think of 
something else. First, just the bare 
wall of the overhanging cliff and then 
a momentary view of the surrounding- 
country below and then a hurried look 
below me where I now caught glimpses 
of the nest on a broad flat ledge still 
some ways down. Thus, I must have 
gone down a hundred feet, and was 
just congratulating myself upon an 
approach to at least temporary safety, 
when I suddenly heard, close at hand, 
a tremendous flapping- of wings and 
the next moment I received (so it 
seemed to my excited senses) at least a 
score of heavy blows on the head and 
shoulders, accompanied by several fear¬ 
ful scratches upon my head and neck. 
I had been holding the rope with both 
hands, but now, instinctively I ducked 
my head under one hand and arm and 
with the other grabbed my revolver. 
I dare not look up, but realizing my 
somewhat dangerous position. I swung' 
the revolver, butt end up (and it was a 
very heavy one), violently back and 
forth above my head for a moment, re¬ 
ceiving at the same time a blow on the 
hand from one of the eagle’s talons. 
This proved to be the best move I could 
have made, for it drove them back, and 
looking- carefully up, I took a hurried 
aim and succeeded in “dropping” one 
of the birds, which frightened the 
other one awa\\ 
Meanwhile, my friend, ignorant of 
the true state of affairs, had continued 
to lower me, and just as I terminated 
this strange encounter, I felt my feet 
touch the ledge, and after resting a 
little, I vvorked-my way along to the 
nest. It was a huge affair, fully three 
feet high and as many in diameter, and 
was constructed of sticks of various 
sizes, some of them as thick as one’s 
wrist, but dwindling in size to small 
twigs at the top. It was almost flat, 
scantily lined with pieces of bark, and 
feathers from the breast of the female 
bird, and contained the eggs. The 
eggs, fine specimens, which I have still 
in my collection, measured 4 1-2x2 3-4 
inches, and were of a cream-colored 
hue, irregularly marked with" reddish- 
brown blotches. Well to bring the 
story to a close, after securing the eggs 
I gave the signal to be raised, and 
finally reached terra firma once more. 
But a sorry looking- sight, with coat 
and collar soaked with blood from the 
scratches on my neck ahd head, and 
large strips of skin torn from my 
hands. After this we soon made our 
way down the butte and secured the 
eagle. It proved to be a fine specimen 
