184 



STORIES ABOUT BIRDS. 



'f jjr cfnglr. 



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^4^^| HE black eagle is found in all 

 climates, liot as well as cold, 

 and usuallv inhabits the steepest 

 rocks. It is about two feet ten 

 '' inches in length, and the general 

 color of its plumage is black. The 

 head and upper parts of the neck, however, 

 are mixed with yellow, while the lower part 

 of the tail is Avhite, with blackish spots. The 

 bird is so powerful as to be able to kill a dog 

 that is much larger than itself. The Abbe 

 Spalanzani, having forced a dog into one of the 

 apartments w^here he kept an eagle, the bird 

 immediately ruffled the feathers on the head 

 and neck, cast a dreadful look at its victim, 

 and taking a short flight, immediately alighted 

 on his back. It held the neck of the animal 

 firmly with one foot, by which he was pre- 



