THE GOLDEN EAGLE. 
537 
succeeded in killing one of the Eagles. The remaining 
bird now became more cautious, though abating none of 
its courage. Our bold hunter now thought to rid himself 
of this one as well; when, on accidentally casting a look 
above him, he saw with horror that he had almost cut 
through the rope, and that he remained suspended by 
only a single strand over the yawning abyss. Terror 
seized him; and letting fall the sword he reached his 
companions half dead : these scarcely recognised him, for 
his hair had turned perfectly white. 
The Eaglets are fed in the nest for a considerable time 
by the parent birds, and only leave their cradle on attain¬ 
ing their full growth; after which they accompany the 
old birds, with whom they take their probatory flight, 
while the former initiate them into the various intricacies 
of their future calling. First they are taught to fly; this 
accomplished, they are instructed in the art of seizing 
their prey. Usually the whole family remain together 
until the autumn; after which the young, now capable of 
taking care of themselves, leave the parent birds, and 
wander hither and thither for years,—perhaps ten,— 
without settling anywhere until they are old enough to 
propagate their species and have met with a mate. 
It is perfectly natural that animals which have 
suffered at the hands—nr, we may say, the claws— 
of Eagles, should seek revenge. Thus the courageous 
Raven, smaller species of Hawks, Swallows, Wagtails, 
Gulls, and Terns, mob their formidable adversary with a 
persistence that is without equal. As soon as an Eagle 
is seen, its arrival is immediately announced by the first 
Rook who sees it, in tones partaking at the same time of 
fear and contempt: in a moment the whole congregation 
of Rooks in the neighbourhood, and a rabble of other 
