Complaint of lamb-killing by golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) on Island of Lewis, West Scotland, was investigated in 1955. Food eaten by eagles was determined by observing what was brought to 2 eyries and by analysing pellets and bones found in old eyries. Rabbits formed the main food. Lamb-killing occasionally occurred but many dead lambs and sheep were also available. Eagles began to increase about 1946 at the same time as hares, grouse and, in places, rabbits began to decrease. Stocks of sheep, which had been considerable, were at this time further increased beyond the capacity of the habitat to support them; as a result there have been considerable annual spring and winter losses of sheep and lambs. This carrion is maintaining an artificially high density of eagles and other carrion feeders. Any pest tendencies of eagles which may occur from time to time will not be solved permanently by shooting but would be by improved land use.