THE EAGLE. 121 



strongly, went through the ribs, and piercing the 

 liver, proved fatal. On opening the bird's stomach, 

 it was found entirely empty, which may explain in 

 some degree the cause of so unusual an attack. The 

 brave little boy did not receive a scratch, though 

 there can be little doubt, that had the bird not 

 been weakened by hunger, a blow or two from its 

 sharp strong beak would have penetrated through 

 the scull into the brain, and caused instant death. 



Eagles of this particular sort are very common 111 

 that part of the country, and are often known to 

 carry off a Turkey, or even a Goose, but this was 

 the first instance of their attacking children, though 

 in New South Wales, a celebrated navigator, Captain 

 Flinders, met with something of the same sort. He 

 was walking with some of his officers, when a large 

 Eagle, with a fierce aspect, and outspread wing, was 

 seen bounding towards them, but stopping short at 

 about twenty yards off, he flew up into a tree. Soon 

 after, another bird of the same kind discovered him- 

 self, and flying above their heads, made a sudden 

 pounce downwards, but checked himself before he 

 actually touched them. Captain Flinders supposed 

 that they took him and his party for kangaroos, 

 which, when sitting up on their hind-legs, according 

 to their usual habit, are about the height and form 

 of a man. On these animals the Eagles were ob- 

 servecl to feed, having been seen watching quietly in 

 the trees till a kangaroo made its appearance, when 

 down they flew, and tore it in pieces in an instant. 

 Probably this was the truth, for the country was very 

 desolate, and as far as they could judge, uninhabited, 

 so that the Eagles might never have seen men before. 



