458 THE WHITE-HEADED EAGLE. 



The nest from which "Abe" was taken, found on a pine 

 tree near some rapids in a curve of the Flambeau River, 

 and big as a washtub, made of sticks, turf and weeds, and re- 

 moved to the Indian village to rear the young bird in, which 

 served as a plaything for the pappooses, may be regarded 

 as representative of the Eagle's nest in general. The two 

 eggs, about 3.00 X 2.50, are a dull white, and are laid very 

 early in spring, probably not later than the latter part of 

 March or the first days of April. In Michigan, I have seen 

 the young nearly as large as their parents, and about ready 

 to leave the nest by the last days of May. A curious 

 instance of nidification on the part of this species was 

 recently described to me by Mr. Herbert Macklem, of 

 Chippewa, Ontario, 



On the bank of Niagara River, and owned by this gen- 

 tleman, was a farm which had not been occupied for several 

 years, and which was some miles distant from the nearest 

 residence. A missing board from the end of the barn giv- 

 ing access to a large quantity of straw in the mow, the 

 Eagles had arranged a nest there, which contained young 

 when discovered by the owner of the property. 



The solicitude of the Eagle for its young cannot be 

 surpassed even by that of the human species. One or the 

 other of the parent birds seems to be constantly reconnoiter- 

 ing the neighborhood of the nest; and, on the least approach 

 of danger, they fly about with a most nervous and excited 

 beat of the wings, yelping like young puppies. Every now 

 and then they will alight in a tree by the nest, very soon 

 to drop down in an angry swoop toward the intruder. 



As an instance of the attachment of the parent bird to 

 the young, Wilson gives the following: "A person near 

 Norfolk informed me that, in clearing a piece of wood on 

 his place, they met with a large, dead pine tree on which was 



