The Bald Eagle 407 



of sticks, twigs, pine-needles, and sometimes of moss. This additional material 

 varies from two to four inches in thickness, and, as the season goes on, there is 

 added to this an accumulation of bones from the fishes, birds, and other animals 

 brought to feed the yoimg. Thus year by year the structure grows, until it 

 sometimes becomes immense. I recall seeing one in eastern North Carohna 

 that must have been over seven feet in thickness from top to bottom. 



Many birds receive names of a more or less descriptive character, as, for 

 example, Red-headed Woodpecker, or Crossbill. It is erroneous, however, 

 to regard the Bald Eagle as being a bald-headed bird, for its 

 crown is well covered. When three years old, it passes through Named 



a moulting-period which results in the bird's acquiring a white 

 head, neck, and tail. Many Bald Eagles are observed every year that do not 

 possess these white feathers; such birds, of course, are still in their youthful 

 plumage. At a little distance it is often difficult to distinguish the young of 

 this species from a Golden Eagle. The latter bird is rare, however, in 

 eastern United States. 



In writing of this bird, the great Audubon expressed regret that it should 

 have been selected as the emblem of our country, and refers to the opinion 

 of Benjamin FrankUn, who wTote: "For my part, I wish the Bald Eagle had not 

 been chosen as the representative of our country. He is a bird of bad moral 

 character, and does not make his living honestly." After speaking of the Eagle's 

 habit of constantly robbing the Osprey, Franklin continues: "With all this 

 injustice, he is never a good case, but, like those among men who hve by 

 sharping and robbing, he is generally poor. Besides, he is a rank coward, the 

 little Kingbird, not bigger than a Sparrow, attacks him boldly, and drives 

 him from the district." 



Despite this unlovable part of the Bald Eagle's character, the fact remains 

 that it is one of the most interesting of our wild birds, and it would indeed be 

 a calamity if its race should be exterminated. In regions where the birds 

 become a source of serious loss to the sheep-raisers, we cannot well blame men 

 for occasionally killing these raiders of the sheepfold. Over vast regions of 

 country, however, the Bald Eagle appears to catch lambs but seldom, if ever, 

 and we should all exert our influence to preserve this fine-looking bird, which is 

 always more majestic on the wing than when lying dead upon the earth. 



The Bald Eagle is found from northern Mexico to the Arctic Ocean, 

 Birds of the same genera also inhabit northern Europe and Asia. 



