THE EAGLE FISHERIES. 195 



stream, but is prevented, and speedily forced by 

 the eagle to the earth. Then crushing the dying 

 bird beneath his feet, he drives his sharp claws 

 deep into its breast, and assured of its dying 

 agonies, the ferocious victor again shrieks with 

 joy. When in pursuit of water fowl, which, 

 the eagles are aware, have it in their power to 

 elude their grasp by diving, exerting the utmost 

 ingenuity, they combine their forces for the cap- 

 ture. On marking their prey, both soar to a 

 certain height, when suddenly one sails swiftly 

 towards the water bird, which dives at his ap- 

 proach. 



The pursuer then rises in the air to meet his 

 companion, which, in his turn, flies to intimid- 

 ate the victim, which emerges for a moment to 

 breathe, but is forced to plunge afresh. The 

 first eagle then takes the place of his successor, 

 and the poor bird, thus alternately menaced and 

 fatigued, makes for the shore, when instantly 

 both eagles settling upon it, divide it as their 

 booty. So unscrupulous is the rapacity of this 

 bird, that it resorts to the most revolting ex- 

 pedient to gratify it. Its daring is astonishing, 

 and it succeeds in scaring even the vulture and 

 crow. Often it pursues them, and becomes pos- 

 sessor of their loathsome spoil. Tradition tells 

 its frequent attempts to capture children. 



Audubon, though unable to verify this from 



