XXXVII 

 FIGHTING IN NATURE 



'RRESPONDENT toCountry Life states that 



he has noticed that in the various battles 



between ravens and golden eagles, which 



frequently take place in the island of Skye, 



the golden eagles are always defeated. 



He enquires whether this phenomenon is a usual 

 one and how it is that the comparatively weak raven 

 can vanquish so powerful a bird as the golden eagle. 



The above statement and its attendant queries are 

 the result of faulty observation. 



Such a thing as a battle between ravens and golden 

 eagles has probably never happened. If it did take 

 place it could have but one ending the victory of the 

 golden eagles. 



Battles rarely, if ever, occur in nature between 

 different species. In order that a battle may take 

 place it is necessary that each of the opposing species 

 should want the same thing and be ready to fight and, 

 if necessary, to sustain serious injuries in order to 

 obtain that thing. 



Now these conditions are rarely fulfilled except at 

 the breeding season, when males of the same species 

 fight for the females. 



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