The Birds of Wyoming. 71 



"Birds of prey always strike their talons deeply into 

 their quarry before carrying it off, unless they are interrupted 

 at the moment they strike. It is possible that. some of the 

 stories found in the older books, especially those rela.ting to 

 Europe, may be true, but we know of no authentic instance 

 within the past fifty years of Eagles attacking children." 



On page 96 of the same publication, Fisher refers to 

 the food habits of the Golden Eagle as follows : 



"To sum up, it may be stated that in sections of the coun- 

 try where rabbits, prairie dogs, or gophers are abundant the 

 Golden Eagle is very beneficial, confining its attention mainly 

 to these noxious animals ; but in places where wild game is 

 scarce it is often very destructive to the young of domesti- 

 cated animals, and hence in such places has to be kept in 

 check." 



My experience with the eagle in this state is similar to 

 Fisher's report. They are usually cowards; and although 

 there are young in the nest nearly ready to fly they will de- 

 sert the region upon the appearance of pian and not offer as 

 much protection to their young as many common birds. 



They nest early, and the young can usually fly by the 

 loth of June. Bond reports them from Cheyenne; Allen 

 reports theni from Wyoming, summer 1871 ; Grinnell, com- 

 mon in winter upon plains, but in summer they remain in the 

 mountains. There are three specimens in the collection, ^^ 

 of which were taken in Albany county. I have observed these 

 birds in the following localities : Buffalo, Hyattville, Evanston, 

 Green River, Ferris, Ervay and Alcova. 



352. Haliaeetus leucocephalus (Linn.). 

 Bald Eagle. 

 Resident; not common. In traveling through the state 

 one will see a dozen or more of the Golden Eagles to one of 

 the Bald. There are no records of this species molesting lambs 

 or fowls in Wyoming. They are a desirable resident and 



