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860 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Dec. 2, 1920. 



Baiting the Wedge-tailed Eagle. 



The annual loss occasioned among the flocks of the Riverina by wedge- 

 tailed eagle is very high, and under drought conditions their depredations- 

 are even more marked. On on© station between Wyalong and the 

 Lachlan, on what may be regarded as a safe estimate, 2,000 lambs per annum 

 are taken by these birds, and even full-grown sheep fall easy prey to them ; 

 calves, marsupials, and dogs are also included in their predatory attacks. 

 With sheep their usual mode of attack is to cut out the victim, and then, by 

 continually swooping at it, to drive it until it drops or is felled by a blow of 

 the wing. Unless particularly ravenous, the birds confine themselves to ear 

 and eye on the upper side of the victim and, after removing the side of the 

 face, tear out the tongue. 



The writer recently had the opportunity of observing the method adopted 

 by Mr. R. B. Robb, manager of Wollongough Station, Ungarie, in dealing 

 with this pest. The experience of Mr. Robb indicates that attempts at 

 shooting the bird with gun or rifle are practically futile, but that trapping 

 along certain lines is highly successful ; on small holdings almost every 

 eagle should be accounted for. 



Mr. Robb's system is as follows : — Ordinary rabbit traps are placed slight^ 

 below ground level and lightly covered with earth, not less than 18 inches 

 from the bait ; if closer than this the bird will probably stand back and 

 reach the bait over the traps. A sheep's head makes an excellent bait, but 

 almost anything (such as rabbits, hares, or birds), freshly killed, may be used. 

 Stale baits are utterly useless. Care must be taken also to spike the bait 

 firmly to the ground, for otherwise the bird will swoop and lift it in its claws. 



It has been found profitable to utilise two or at most three traps at 

 each centre, thereby securing a wider range of distribution. The eagle is 

 compelled to approach the bait on the side nearest to the trap by means of 

 a light breastwork or " background " built of sticks or bush, care being 

 taken to make it too light to cari-y the weight of the bird. It is imperative 

 also that the traps should be free, for if firmly anchored the struggles of the 

 powerful captive are almost certain to result in the dismembering of its 

 foot — the usual point of seizure — and its consequent escape. If, however, 

 the traps are weighted only sufticiently to prevent the birds from rising from 

 the ground, this danger is almost completely avoided, and it is always an 

 easy matter to run down the captives. The birds are usually caught shortly 

 after sunrise or within an hour of sunset, and if the traps can be visited 

 twice daily there is little likelihood that they will escape. 



Decoys are a highly important factor in the work, and it is customary to 

 utilize a number of the captives for this purpose. The wing feathers are, 

 of course, closely cut, and the birds tethered — preferably by a strong dog- 

 chain to the leg, the ring end being secured to a stake about 30 inches in 

 height. If decoys are regularly watered and fed with fresh meat, they will, 

 in most cases, soon settle down. 



In preparing birds to act as decoys the greatest care must be exercised, 

 as the eagle is capable of inflicting a very severe and dangerous wound. 

 They can, however, be handled with comparative r,afety by placing a light pole 

 across the body of the trapped bird, and by keeping one foot upon it to hold 

 it firmly in place while the wings are cut and the tethering chain adjusted. 

 It 18 advisable to use a leather band for fastening the chain to the leg, in 

 order to avoid chafing, thereby tending more fully to maintain the vitality 

 and efficiency of the decoy. — G. C. Sparks, Inspector of Agriculture. 



