140 FACULTIES OF BIRDS. 



both synonymous with the golden eagle (Aquila 

 chrysaetas). 



" The ordinary food of my eagle," says the Abbe, 

 " consisted of live cats and dogs, when I could procure 

 them. It easily killed dogs much larger than itself. 

 When I forced one of these animals into the apart- 

 ment where I kept the eagle, it immediately ruffled 

 the feathers on the head and neck, cast a dreadful 

 look at the dog, and taking a short flight, immediately 

 alighted on his back. It held the neck firm with one 

 foot, by which the dog was prevented from turning 

 his head to bite ; and with the other grasped one of 

 the flanks, at the same time driving the talons into 

 the body ; and in this attitude it continued till the dog 

 expired, in the midst of fruitless outcries and efforts. 

 The beak had been hitherto unemployed, but it was 

 now used for making a small hole in the skin, which 

 was gradually enlarged ; from this the bird began to 

 tear away and devour the flesh, and went on till it 

 was satisfied. I must not omit observing that it 

 never ate any skin, nor intestine, nor bone, except 

 very small ones, such as the ribs of cats and small 

 dogs. Notwithstanding this ferocity, and violent 

 impetuosity in attacking animals, it never gave any 

 molestation to man. I, who was the feeder, could 

 safely enter the apartment where the bird was kept, 

 without any means of confining its movements, and 

 beheld these assaults without dread or apprehension ; 

 nor was the eagle at all hindered from attacking the 

 living prey I offered it, or rendered shy by my 

 presence. As it was not always in my power, or at 

 least in my will, to give it living food (for I had not 

 always dogs and cats at hand ; and fowls, which are 

 equally acceptible, were too expensive), I substituted 

 flesh, which, though it was not so well relished, was 

 not disagreeable. In general, when it had flesh at 



