BIRDS OF KA^-SAS 109 



bit tainted she would not touch it, neither would she eat 

 a fresh piece accidentally dropped upon the ground from 

 her claws. A Bald Eagle, in an adjoining pen, would 

 readily eat meat in any stage, and gladly take the pieces 

 rejected by the more noble bird. I tried hard to subdue 

 her, or to be at least on friendly terms, but failed. I know 

 that the birds have been occasionally partially tamed, but 

 this one was untamable, and maintained, during her con- 

 finement, the same wild, defiant, ferocious spirit exhibited 

 at her capture. She was especially furious when a dog 

 entered the yard. I saw her pounce upon, pick up and take 

 to her perch a large house cat that ventured within her 

 prison for bits of meat. The grasp was so powerful that 

 life was instantly crushed out — not a struggle, but only a 

 slight quiver of the muscles noticeable. I have often heard 

 them scream loudly in their mountain home, but my bird 

 was sullen and mute. 



Their nests are enormous structures of sticks, etc., usu- 

 ally placed on rocky shelves of inaccessible cliffs, occa- 

 sionally in trees. May 6th, 1884, I found, at Julian, 

 California, a nest placed in and near the top of a tall pine 

 tree — a huge platform structure composed of sticks and 

 twigs, and lined sparingly with grass, moss, and a few 

 feathers. Eggs two or three, 2.90x2.25 ; white, occasion- 

 ally unmarked, but usually spotted and blotched with va- 

 rious shades of drab to reddish brown, and a few faint 

 purple shell markings; in form, broadly subspherical. 



