62 BIRDS OF PREY 



Against all of this I have nothing to say. The American 

 Eagle needs no defence from me. Whether 



"He clasps the crag with hooked hands, 

 Close to the sun in lonely lands," 



or perches defiantly on the United States coat of arms, with 

 a brow to threaten or command, he is beloved by at least 

 ninety million people who will rise as one whenever he is 

 really in need of defenders. Abroad, it once was well-nigh 

 an international fashion to flout this bird, and the standard 

 he bears; but since May 1, 1900, that fashion has gone out. 

 Abroad, those who do not respect this bird fear him, whole- 

 somely. At home, it is quite time for all strangers to secure 

 an introduction to him, and for some of those who should be 

 his friends but are not, to write him down no longer. 



In its distribution, this Eagle ranges over the whole of 

 North America from Mexico to Kamchatka. Considering 

 the size of this bird, it holds its own remarkably well, even in 

 New England. In Florida it is very abundant all along In- 

 dian River, and in one locality in the state of Washington 

 it is so numerous that its depredations on the flocks of sheep- 

 raisers are cause for serious complaint and reprisals. 



In the East so many Eagles are caught alive and offered 

 for sale that it is a difficult matter to find sale for one at $10. 

 This bird so seldom destroys domestic animals, or game birds, 

 there is no excuse for its destruction save possibly in a few 

 far-western localities where it happens to be very numerous, 

 and evinces a particular fondness for lambs. 



About every six months there appears in some newspaper 



