206 GILPIN ON THE EAGLES OF NOVA SCOTIA. 



Clements, when most protracted screams filled the air. Looking* 

 above I saw an osprey or fishing hawk loaded with a fine large 

 fish, upon whose back a bald eagle was making stoop after stoop, 

 soaring up after every strike and striking again. Presently the fish 

 tumbled out of the osj^rey's claws and came skimmering down flash- 

 ing in the early slanting sun rays. The eagle folded his wings ^ 

 dropped like lightning below the fish, and turning upon his back 

 caught it, whilst the poor hawk disappeared screaming. 



Though Wilson gives instances of this bird carrying ofl" lambs, 

 and in one instance a child, there are no traditions of such daring 

 in this Province. His favorite food is fish ; lie strikes them alive, 

 but will accept them dead ; and we see him on this pursuit watching 

 from a blasted pinethe receding tide, or beating the long half dry flats 

 of the Bay of Fundy. Our largest specimen was put up from a 

 dead horse lying on the beach. They are usually in good condi 

 tion, and no doubt the plenty of rich food, varied by haresy 

 squirrels and grouse he obtains in the forest, prevents him from 

 '■ turning his yellow talons on lamb or child. They breed both on 

 trees, and in rock cliffs. Tliis last fact, verified by Mr. A. Downs, 

 seeing them clinging to the clifls in Grand Lake, is of note, as Mr. 

 Audubon claims this as distinguishing his tuaskingtoniensis from the 

 : balds. Though as long ago as Wilson, it has been determined that 

 'the brown eagles turn into balds in the fourth year, yet it is pleas- 

 iing to ♦verify it ourselves, to see tbediflPerent colours mated together, 

 > or to watch them in confinement putting on the adult colours in the 

 fourth year, as we have done in the gardens of Mr. Downs, and 

 Mr. Leahy. As a sure test in determining our young specimens, 

 and preventing them from being confounded together, or even with 

 the albicella or Sea Eagle of Europe, which occurs in Greenland^ 

 (and a strong tempest driving one here may occur,) the scutella or 

 large scales on the feet and toes are the best tests. The Golden 

 Eagle has none on the legs, and about three on each toe, the bald 

 eagle has usually five on the legy five on the inner toe, from eleven 

 to thirteen upon the middle, eight upon the outside, and five upon 

 the behind toe. These vary especially upon the middle toe, and 

 upon the leg ; but a series of perhaps thirty gives this approxima- 

 tion. The greatest variation occurs upon the tarsi on the leg, and 



