SEA EAGLES. 



603 



having buried its claws deeply in its prey, it is often impossible 

 for it to disengage itself. 



Sea Eagles hunt in the night as well as day. They attack 

 sea-birds weaker than themselves, and pursue them to take pos- 

 session of their prey. They are indefatigable in pursuit of 

 Vultures, which they make disgorge, and afterwards appropriate 



Fig. 282. American Sea Eagles (Haliceetus leucocephalus) . 



the results. Audubon observed, on the shores of the Mississippi, 

 a Sea Eagle pursuing a Vulture which had just swallowed some 

 intestine. Part of this protruded from the Vulture's bill ; the 

 Sea Eagle seized it, and forced the original possessor to give it up. 

 The Sea Eagle of Europe lives in the coldest regions of the 



