58 STORIES OF BIRDS AND BEASTS 



^ong, for the Doves tell tales about me. I can sing a 

 little, too ; I have a high soprano voice and I " 



" That will do," interrupted the Eagle. " For a small 

 bird you are a great talker. But you are acquitted ! 

 Who comes next ? Brother Osprey ? " 



The children recognized the Fish Hawk they had 

 seen the first day they went to the sea-shore. 



" The Osprey is a fisherman like myself, so we need 

 not question him about his habits," continued the Eagle, 

 who had his own private reasons for not caring to hear 

 all the Osprey might say, remembering that he had 

 sometimes stolen fish the Osprey had caught ; " but I 

 should like to tell the House Children that he is one of 

 the long-lived birds who mate for life after the manner 

 of true Eagles, many of whom have lived a hundred 

 years, and also very industrious. Golden Eagle, what 

 is your bill of fare ? " 



" The food of a wild bird of the mountains, far from 

 the homes of men. I seize Wild Ducks and other 

 game birds, hares, rabbits, fawns yes, and young 

 calves also, if House People make their dwellings near 

 me and bring cattle into my fortress ; but if they keep 

 away from me, I never molest them." 



"Humph ! " said the Bald Eagle ; "you and I are 

 somewhat alike, for though I chiefly fish for a living I 

 also kill the young of large animals, and even eat car- 

 rion when game is scarce. But as it is unusual for a 

 judge to condemn himself, I think I must go free ; and 

 as there are not very many of either of us, it really 

 doesn't matter much." 



" How many did you condemn as really bad canni- 

 bals ? " asked Nat, speaking to the Eagle. 



