The Birds of Wyoming. 69 



nesting places thus far observed by me have varied from 6,000 

 to 9,000 feet. It has generally been supposed that they breed 

 only in unsettled districts. Here they often nest near a ranch 

 and also near villages. In Wyoming the golden eagle must 

 be classed with the useful birds. I have never heard of one 

 visiting a poultry yard. And although Wyoming is one of the 

 greatest if not the greatest sheep growing states in the United 

 States, there have been but few serious complaints sent in by 

 the flock masters, of their injuring lambs. There is no ques- 

 tion but that they will prey upon lambs or the young of other 

 animals if driven to it by hunger. Since there is an abundance 

 of food during the early spring months in the way of rabbits 

 and smaller rodents, besides plenty of birds, there is little or 

 no reason for these eagles visiting the herds of sheep. While 

 they doubtless prefer game of their own killing, they feed 

 largely upon carrion. This is especially true during cold 

 weather. It often happens that people put out poison or traps 

 for wolves and catch eagles. 



There is no record in Wyoming of an eagle molesting 

 children. The following quotation from Fisher (Hawks and 

 Owls of the United States, pp 94-95) is of special interest 

 concerning the numerous reports that are continuously being 

 circulated regarding these birds preying upon various kinds of 

 animals. 



"Dr. E. A. Mearns, U. S. Army, in a note on the Golden 

 Eagle, says : 'Several years ago a Golden Eagle was shot 

 opposite those cliffs by a farmer at Cold Spring (New York) 

 while in the act of destroying a goose belonging to the farmer.' 

 (Bull. Nutt. Ornith. Club, Vol. Ill, 1878, p 100.) 



"Mr. George A. Boardman captured a Golden Eagle un- 

 der the following circumstances : 'When out snipe shooting 

 October 16, (1880), a big Blue Heron flew up and almost im- 

 mediately dropped to the ground. Instantly a large bird came 

 like a meteor and struck the Heron with full force, and in their 

 excitement I got a fine specimen of the Golden Eagle.' 



