76 STORIES OF BIRD LIFE 



my handling, nor was there any outburst of complaint, a 

 low whistling cry being their only sound. 



Soon after I began the ascent the old birds appeared, 

 and, as long as I remained in the tree, continued to soar 

 anxiously about at a safe distance, occasionally uttering a 

 high-pitched scream, which was a sort of whistling cackle. 

 Only once was there any appearance of an attack from 

 them. The larger one, which I thus judged to be the 

 female, while flying at a distance of perhaps one hundred 

 yards, and at an equal elevation with myself, suddenly 

 changed her course and with set wings came at me straight 

 as an arrow. With raised hatchet I awaited the assault, 

 but when within thirty feet her courage failed and she 

 turned sharply to one side and passed on. 



I had hoped to find eggs, and determined to be at the 

 nest on time for this another season. The next year, the 

 weather being stormy, I was delayed until the fourteenth 

 of the same month when the nest was again found to con- 

 tain young. This time they were larger than those of the 

 year previous. From tip to tip of wings they measured 

 three and one-half feet. The eggs must have been de- 

 posited as early as November. 



During the months of autumn, especially October and 

 November, the Florida eagles become restless and wander 

 from their accustomed range. This is their love season 



