BALD EAGLE. 7 



GENERAL HABITS. 



Over much of its range, particularly in the more thickly settled 

 parts of the United States, the bald eagle is by no means common 

 during the breeding season; but in sections of Florida, on the Aleu- 

 tian Islands, the coast of southern Alaska, British Columbia, and 

 Washington it seems to be more numerous than anywhere else. 

 From the more northern regions, particularly the interior of Alaska 

 and of northern Canada, it withdraws for the winter when th;. lakes 

 and rivers freeze ; but elsewhere it seems to have no regular or well- 

 defined migration, although during the cold season it wanders more 

 or less, apparently influenced largely by the food supply, since it is 

 easily able to withstand the rigor of even an arctic climate. It is 

 more maritime and fluvicoline than the golden eagle, preferring the 

 neighborhood of the seacoast, lakes, and larger streams, and it is 

 seldom really common at a distance from them. It inhabits, how- 

 ever, all kinds of country so long as the main requisite — plenty of 

 water — is there, and in mountains or on plains, in heavy forests or 

 along barren shores it finds a congenial abode. 



Under most circumstances wary and difficult of approach, with an 

 eye open for danger and giving suspected things a wide berth, this 

 eagle, nevertheless, where not molested, is often surprisingly tame and 

 unsuspicious. Unprovoked it rarely attacks man, although such 

 instances have been reported. It prefers trees for watching and 

 roosting, but in spring sometimes descends to ride the cakes of ice 

 in the river, apparently looking for fish. Though not a gregarious 

 species, it may at times be seen in companies of as many as ten or 

 even fifteen individuals. It is evidently not lacking in conjugal 

 affection, and the first mating results in an alliance, defensive and 

 offensive, that is believed to last as long as both survive; but when 

 one of a pair dies, the other, male or female, soon secures another 

 partner that at once assumes the responsibilities of the interrupted 

 household. The notes of this eagle are few, usually produced in a 

 loud, harsh scream, but heard at a distance they lose much of their 

 disagreeable sound. The flight is powerful, capable of being indefi- 

 nitely sustained, and is accomplished now by steady wing-beats, 

 now by soaring either on a level course or in great ascending circles 

 as is the habit of most large birds of prey. The bird occasionally 

 makes a plunge from a great height— a marvelous feat, performed 

 with such velocity that the eye can scarcely follow the descent. In 

 strength the bald eagle is hardly less remarkable than in power of 

 flight, and it has been known to carry for 5 miles a lamb of weight 

 fully equal to its own. It can readily be kept in confinement, for it 

 will thrive on any kind of meat or fish; and it sometimes even 

 develops no little attachment for its owner. 



