06 THE HAWKS AND OWLS OP THE UNITED STATES. 



eases to posterity. * * * The Golden Eagle (uoble as he is tlioujibt 

 to be) will eat carrion when pressed for food. * * * The Golden 

 Eagle also preys upon various species of birds, notably the blackcock 

 and red grouse, j)taniiigan, curlews, and i)lovers, dropping upon them 

 unawares or simply taking the young and weakly ones; for never does 

 tlie bird pursue und strike them like the true falcon." (Hist, of Brit- 

 ish Birds, vol. i, 1883, pp. i>8, 99.) 



Occasionally it will attack large animals, as the follo\\ ing from Mr. 

 Cliarles F. Morrison shows: "The bird had cai)tured and killed a good 

 sized black-tailed deer, and was shot while sitting upon its body." (Or- 

 nithologist and Oologist, vol. xiv, 1S89, p. 25.) 



To sum up, it may be stated that in sections of the country where 

 rabbits, prairie dogs, or gophers are abundant the Golden Eagle is veiy 

 beneficial, confining its attention mainly to these noxious animals; but 

 in idaces where wild game is scarce it is often very destructive to the 

 young of domesticated animals, and hen(;e in such i^laces has to be kept 

 in check. 



Tlic nest usually is placed on a shelf or ledge on the face of a rocky 

 clitt", or, in some sections of the country, among the branches of large 

 trees. This latter site seems to be more common along the west coast 

 than in otlier parts of the country. The structures is nothing more than 

 a platform of dry sticks, some of whicli are several inches in diameter; 

 and as the same ])lace is used for a series of years and new material 

 added each year, the mass ac(|uires very large dimensions, often meas- 

 uring from 6 to 8 feet in diameter. The cavity is shallow and is lined 

 with dry straw, grass or moss, green leaves, or in the north, the fur and 

 feathers of mammals and birds Avhich have served as food. 



Tlie full (complement of eggs is from one to four, two or three being 

 the common number. In California the first half of March appears to 

 be the time when most of the eggs are deposited. Occasionally an 

 early set may be found in Febiuary or a late one in April. In the 

 tar north .sets are not completed before the last of A)»ril or the first 

 of May. 



Some writers allege that this Eagle remains mated throughout life, 

 which is not at all improbable, for generally two birds are seen together 

 at all seasons. The female sits closely duiing incubation and is 

 attentively cared for and assistedby the male, which, in case the female 

 is killed, takes full charge of the Itrood. The male is more shy than the 

 female, and hence is less often kille<l. 



A great deal of nonsense has been written alM»ut the valor displayed 

 by this bird in protecting its nest and in attacking i>ersons who attempt 

 to rob it of the eggs or young, liiterestiug as these accounts may be, 

 they have but little foundation in fact, so far at least as this country 

 is concerned, for the birds are arrant cowards, and as soon as the nest 

 is apinoached leav^e the neighborhood ami do not return, even when 

 there are young in the nest, until after the foragers have passed out of 

 gun range. 



