BOLD EAG'LK—A'quila auclax. 



after day, in order to avail itself of tlie offal which they throw aside. Of the 

 black hunters it takes no heed, knowing well that the black man has no idea of leaving 

 any portion whatever of his prey for any creature except himself, and that if any 

 part of the slain animal should be distasteful to his palate it is handed over to his wives, 

 who wait round him at a respectful distance, receiving humbly any morsels that he may 

 be pleased to throw to them. 



A rather amusing account of the discomfiture of a pair of these Eagles is given 

 by Captain Flinders in his " Voyage to Terra Australis." In company with a friend, he 

 had landed on an uninhabited island, and had captured a snake, which he was taking to 

 the ship for the benefit of the naturalist. While so engaged, an Eagle " with fierce aspect 

 and outspread wing came bounding towards us, but stopping short at twenty yards 

 off, he flew up into a tree. Another bird of the same kind discovered himself by making 

 a motion to pounce down upon us as we passed underneath ; and it seemed evident they 

 took us for kangaroos, having probably never before seen an upright animal of any other 

 species in the island. These birds sit watching in the trees, and should a kangaroo come 

 out to feed in the daytime, it is seized and torn to pieces by these voracious creatures." 



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