172 



BIRDS OF NORTH CAROLINA 



years in succession. Thus a nest at White Lake is known to have been occupied 

 in 1909, 1910, and 1911. It is in a tall, living pine, with a dead pine of like size 

 close by, the latter being used by the old birds as a lookout. In April, 1910, H. H. 

 Brimley observed the two old birds, both in full adult plumage, perched on the 

 dead tree at the same time, with another, presumably an almost grown young one, 

 in the nest. 



Far from being the proud, fierce, and noble bird which popular fancy paints as 

 spending its time in screaming for liberty and trying to outstare the sun, the Bald 

 Eagle is largely a carrion feeder, and not noted for its ferocity. It feeds more on 

 dead fish than on prey caught by its own skill and boldness. In 1899 Pearson saw 

 four eagles at one time feasting on the bodies of rays left by fishermen on the 

 beach near Fort Macon. In winter, where any considerable amount of duck-shoot- 

 ing goes on, one or more eagles are usually to be found in the neighborhood on the 



FIG. 132. BALD EAGLE. 



FIG. 133. FOOT OF 

 BALD EAGLE. 



alert for crippled fowl. In June, 1910, a large alligator had been killed at Lake 

 Ellis, and, after skinning, its remains were left for the buzzards to clear away. 

 Next morning, on approaching the spot, several Turkey Vultures and one eagle 

 rose from the carcass. As they got well under way a fearless little Kingbird (Bee- 

 Martin) rushed after the Bird of Freedom and literally ran it out of the country. 



A few years ago H. H. Brimley had one confined for several weeks in a wire 

 enclosure. One day a Red-headed Woodpecker was put in the same cage. The 

 result was most surprising, for the woodpecker immediately attacked the head of 

 the eagle and caused the great bird so much annoyance, and evidently inspired it 

 with so much terror, that in mercy the fierce woodpecker was removed. 



Bald Eagles may occasionally be met with in other parts of the State. Thus 

 Pearson secured an immature bird in Caswell County in February, 1894, and saw 

 one at Chapel Hill, Orange County, in February, 1898. C. S. Brimley has twice 



