OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 283 



for each other. After the female had been killed, the male 

 flew away, but subsequently returned, evinced much anguish, 

 and judging from his actions, was exceedingly restless and 

 disheartened. He formed circles above the scene of dis- 

 aster, beyond the range of gunshot, then flew away, but only 

 to return again, to renew the same manoeuvres. After 

 several days thus spent, he disappeared, and was not seen 

 again until exactly one year from the time he lost his part- 

 ner, when he appeared upon the same tree, but, alas, to pay 

 the penalty of death for his imprudence. 



The food of this species consists mainly of fish. On the 

 banks of the Columbia River, the immense abundance of 

 dead salmon which is always lying around, constitutes a 

 ready subsistence. Wilson accuses this Eagle of destroying 

 young lambs, sickly sheep, and vast numbers of young 

 pigs. In a single instance, it tried to bear off a small child, 

 which was fortunately saved by the giving way of her 

 dress. 



Its most northern breeding habitat in the interior is as 

 high north as the Arctic Circle. In California, and also 

 in the extreme Southern States, it is quite an early breeder. 

 Latest observations prove that such is the case in the States 

 of Maine and Maryland. Wilson obtained an egg of this 

 species in New Jersey, from which \ve infer that it was found 

 breeding there in his time. From a careful exploration of 

 its southern counties, in places which would be most likely 

 vfrsited for this purpose, we are convinced that none remain 

 now to breed. In Eastern Pennsylvania, it has never been 

 known to nidificate. The appearance of the paired birds 

 aforementioned, about the time when nidification ordinarily 

 takes place, leads us to suspect that they visited the Wissa- 

 hickon for this essential purpose. A sojourn of several days, 

 during which time they w r ere observed in making a care- 

 ful examination of the tall trees in the most unfrequented 

 localities, slightly confirm this suspicion. Had not the 

 female met a summary and untimely death, it is highly 



