384 NATURE-STUDY REVIEW [16:9— Dec, 1920 



Another magpie appeared, descended as did its mate, was 

 caught, plucked from his imprisonment by the eagle, taken to the 

 dining quarters on the mountain side and devoured. This pro- 

 cedure was again repeated and the third magpie was caught for 

 the eagle's benefit, when the plan of trying to capture the eagle was 

 abandoned for the day. 



The next day the attempt was resumed with the same result for a 

 time, the same eagle being in readiness to empty the trap as soon 

 as a magpie was caught. Remaining magpies becoming suspicious 

 and not so easily trapped as their unfortunate leaders, and the 

 eagle on the contrary becoming more bold, the latter could not 

 resist the temptation to inspect the trap when the magpies failed 

 to be attracted by it, and finally the noble bird was in the clutches 

 of the snare. 



At last Frank was rewarded for his patience and long vigil, and 

 proudly took the bird to his cabin. But now the question arose — 

 what should he do with it ? He had intended to build a cage but 

 had neglected to do so in advance of the capture. To tether the 

 bird with a piece of cord would only result in the eagle quickly 

 picking the cord to pieces and thus freeing himself. Accordingly 

 a piece of wire was fastened around the bird's leg and in this man- 

 ner he was held captive. The wearing qualities of the wire had, 

 however, not been taken into consideration and no provision had 

 been made for a piece of cloth or other soft material between the 

 wire and the leg ; consequently, in a short time the wire wore into 

 the flesh and bone, causing blood poisoning, and soon the bird was 

 dead. 



Frank, nevertheless, had a stuffed eagle to assist in telling the 

 story of his adventure on the mountainside, even though he was 

 not permitted to have the pleasure of a live souvenir. 



The far-famed Canvasbacks at once we know, 

 Their broad, flat bodies wrapped in pencilled snow; 

 The burnished chestnut o'er their necks that shone, 

 Spread deep'ning round each breast a sable zone. 



— ^Alexander Wilson. 



