Page:Monthly scrap book, for March.pdf/4



4             THE MONTHLY lons in the head of a devoted doe, pierced the skull, and had actually begun to feast on the brains at        the very moment the animal fell. On another oc- casion, a voracious bird, of the same species, pounced on a setter-dog, the property of some of        the keepers at Braemar, and bore it as high as the surrounding trees, when the pup, by its yelping and struggles to escape, so alarmed the enemy, that he        relaxed his hold, and soared with the greatest speed away. Yet, notwithstanding of these facts, I am        inclined to believe that eagles do very little mischief at present beyond poaching most extensively. Hares, conies, grouse, black-game, patridges, car- rion, and vermin, are all considered their lawful prey; and some of them, by frequenting lakes and rivers, assail the finny tribes as often as they can, and live by levying contributions from the waters. For several years past a brace of eagles, whose ey- rie is perched amidst the cliffs of Cairnsmuir, have visited Cally every summer, in quest, no doubt, of        the hares and rabbits with which that princely do- main abounds. The game-keepers, who are well aware of their errand, have sometimes put their longest barrels in requisition, and attempted to bring them down with ball; but their efforts hitherto have been unsuccessful---a circumstance I rejoice at, rather than regret. The distance from Cally to the top of Cairnsmuir must be at least a dozen miles as the crow flies; but this, of course, is mere recreation to the most -lordly bird that cleaves the air, and is perhaps performed in a briefer space than a gentleman about to travel can order his horse, get it saddled, and brought round to the door.