536 
BIRD-LIFE. 
white coat of down; soon, however, the head assumes 
the proud expression of the parent bird. They are well 
fed by the old ones ; first with meat, which the latter have 
previously half digested in their own crops; and later, 
with all sorts of game which the mother can procure for 
them. When the nestlings are about half grown the eyrie 
looks like a butcher’s shop-bench well covered with pro¬ 
visions of all kinds. The parent birds hunt far and near, 
their raids extending from two to three miles away, from 
which distance they often carry their booty to the eyrie. 
They are much bolder at this season than at any other, 
and will defend their young from danger with the utmost 
courage. The hunter who would rob their nest runs 
risk of his life, for the old birds will strike at him 
viciously, often wounding him severely. 
There is a sad story told, the truth of which has been 
vouched for by respectable people. An Italian hunter 
found a Golden Eagle’s nest amongst the Alps,—some 
say that of a Lammergeir,—-and he forthwith determined 
to possess himself of the young robbers. Inasmuch as 
the eyrie could not he reached from below, it was neces¬ 
sary, in order to carry his plan into effect, to descend 
from above. He went, accompanied by some other young 
men, and provided himself with a strong rope of sufficient 
length. The party climbed the rock, and lowered the 
hunter, who was provided with a sword for his defence, 
carefully down from above. The brave fellow reached the 
nest in safety, and, placing the two young Eaglets in a 
hag, gave the signal to be drawn up again. He did not, 
however, reach the top without opposition, for suddenly, 
and with wild screams, the enraged parent birds dashed 
down upon him. He sought to defend himself, and, 
cutting and slashing at his assailants with the sword, he 
