10 
FALCONIDiE. 
of which the Common Wren is the most remarkable, 
will almost invariably, when under favourable circum¬ 
stances, form their nests of the same materials. 
In Shetland, where they would have some difficulty 
to find a stick, the eagles have very cleverly constructed 
their nests of those long rope-like pieces of sea-weed, 
which, having their roots at the bottom of the ocean, 
rise like mimic forests to its surface, and spread out 
their long riband leaves. These in their pliability are 
so admirably adapted for the purpose, that I much doubt 
whether a Shetland eagle, with the choice of both, would 
ever have recourse to the more commonly used material. 
Foula, one of the Shetland Islands, the western boun¬ 
dary of which is formed by one of the grandest pro¬ 
montories in Britain, is the favourite resort of the Golden 
Eagle. 
It begins to breed in March, or early in April, and 
will return to the same eyrie for many successive years. 
It makes a nest of great size, composed of sticks (in 
Shetland of sea-weed), lined with softer materials, roots, 
dry grass, and heather. The eggs are usually confined 
to two, though sometimes three in number. Mr. Wolley 
had three fertile eggs from one nest, whilst one men¬ 
tioned by Mr. Salmon, in his bird-nesting account of 
Orkney, contained three young ones. 
The most ardent lover of bird-nesting must give place 
to him who has become as familiar with the king of birds 
as others are with crows and magpies. To him I am 
indebted for the following valuable notes, a short extract 
from many pages of interesting matter, which my space 
will not allow me to quote entire. Mr. Wolley, speaking 
of the Golden Eagle, says, “ In different years I have 
carefully examined eight or nine distinct eyries of this 
bird in Scotland, and visited the sites of many more; 
