Page:The Natural History of Ireland vol1.djvu/34

 ed. It evidently derived much pleasure from the application of the hand to its legs and plumage,, and permitted itself to be handled in any way. As one of the first steps towards training this eagle for the chace, it was hooded after the manner of a hunting hawk, but the practice was soon abandoned as unnecessary, in consequence of its remaining quiet and contented when carried on the arm of its master. It was unwilling indeed to leave him even to take a flight, unless some special "quarry" was in view. When at liberty for the day, and my friend appeared in sight at any distance, his arm was no sooner held out towards the affectionate bird, than it came hurriedly flying to perch upon it. I have, when in his com- pany, — for it was quite indifferent to the presence of strangers, — seen it fly to him without any food being offered, not less than a dozen times within half an hour. When on the ground, and the lure was thrown comparatively near, this bird preferred running, — which it could do very fast, — to using its wings. It was also fed from the "fist." Live rats were several times turned out of the cage-trap to it; but before getting far away, they were invari- ably pounced upon. Pour full-grown rats have been taken at a meal; an entire heron, (Ardea cinerea), except the head and legs, was also eaten on one occasion. It differed somewhat in its man- ner of feeding from two sea eagles which were kept along with it; when the head and neck of a goose were offered, the golden eagle eat them wholly, the latter took the flesh off only, leaving the harder parts; and when entire birds were given, the sea eagle plucked many more feathers off than the golden;* the latter assi- milating to the peregrine falcon in this respect. This golden eagle was more partial to alighting on trees than the sea eagles were. Plying from one group of them to another, it in this manner fol- lowed its master about the demesne, indolently remaining as long as possible where it perched, consistently with always keeping him in sight. My friend discontinued any further training of this eagle on account of its boldness, as it flew not only at well-grown cygnets of the tame swan, but at the old birds themselves, which

Birds up to the size of sparrows are eaten whole by the golden eagle ; three sparrows have been taken in succession without a feather being plucked off.