Its food consists chiefly of mountain hares, though it also takes birds, lambs, and occasionally the fawns of the deer; but although it does sometimes take grouse, they do not form its chief food, and certainly the numbers taken are not sufficient to warrant its destruction. [Illustration: GOLDEN EAGLE _Aquila chrysaetus_] It does not chase its prey, but having marked them down, pounces on them as they lie. In Ireland a few pairs still breed in the wilder parts of the north and west, but elsewhere in our islands it is very rarely seen, as it is not given to wandering far from its accustomed haunts. In England it is exceedingly rare, most of the reported occurrences being immature examples of the next species. The general colour is a uniform dark brown, tawny on the nape. Except in its larger size, the female resembles the male. Young birds may be distinguished by the white bases to the outer tail feathers. Length about 23 in.; wing 24 in. THE WHITE-TAILED EAGLE Haliaetus albicilla (Linnæus) This species, which was never common in any part of our islands, is now only found as a breeding bird on a very limited number of stations on the west coast of Ireland and Scotland. In autumn immature birds are frequently observed round our English coasts on their southward migration. The nest is placed usually on an inaccessible crag by the sea-shore, and is a vast accumulation of sticks and rubbish, which is yearly augmented. The eggs are two in number and dull white without any markings. The habits and food are similar to the Golden Eagle, but it occasionally takes fish, and feeds more readily on carrion. Old birds are dark brown with nearly white head and neck and white tail. Immature birds are brown mottled with fulvous on the upper parts and with a brown tail. This species takes about five years to become adult, and all varieties between these two plumages may be met with. Length about 34 in.; wing 25 in. THE GOSHAWK Astur palumbarius (Linnæus) This species is common throughout the wooded districts of Northern and Central Europe, and has only occurred in these islands at long intervals, almost always on the east coast of Scotland or England. In Ireland it is practically unknown. In olden times falconers (for this species was in great demand for hawking) used to liberate adults in the spring in order to procure the young when they nested, and in this manner there is no doubt that it became established for several centuries, but it is now over a hundred years since the last English-bred nestling was obtained. It inhabits wooded districts, and seizes its prey, which consists of both mammals and birds, on the ground. The adult is brown on the back; the under parts are white barred with dull black. The young is brown above and buff striped with dark brown below.