BALD EAGLE. 



101 



In the spring when the ice in the rivers and bays is breaking up, the 

 Bald Eagle often becomes very abundant and may be seen on a cake of 

 ice floating back and forth with the tide or perched on some tree near 

 the shore. On the Hudson Eiver Dr. E. A. Mearns states that he 

 has seen twenty-five in sight at once, and the writer, on the border of 

 the same river, has observed nine individuals in one tree. 



Like most other birds of prey, this Eagle makes a gentle and inter- 

 esting pet when taken young, though there is always some danger of it 

 being vicious towards strangers. In localities where the bird is little 

 molested it is not at all shy, but in other sections where war is continu- 

 ally waged against it, it is very difficult to approach. 



The flight is strong, although having the appearance of being labored 

 at times, and the bird is capable of carrying a weight exceeding its 

 own. At a distance the note of the Bald Eagle is not altogether un- 

 pleasant, resembling somewhat that of the sea gulls, but near by it is 

 grating and suggests a maniacal laugh. Audubon states that the flesh 

 of the young eagles is very good and resembles veal in taste. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Lower third of leg naked all around. This character will separate it 

 in any plumage from the Golden Eagle, which is the only other Eagle 

 in the United States. 



Length: 30 to 43 inches (760 to 1090'"'°) ; extent, 80 to 96 inches (2030 

 to 2440'"'"); wing, 20 to 28 inches (510 to TIO""""); tail, 11 to 16 inches 

 (280 to 405»'^^). 



Talle slioiving the res%dts of examinations of 21 stomachs of the Bald Eagle 

 {Saliceetus leticocephalus) . 



SUMMAKY.— Of 21 stomachs examined, 1 contained a game bird ; 5, mammals ; 9, fish ; 2, carrion ; and 

 5 were empty. 



