BALD EAGLE. 99 



doubtedly tlie depredations that are mentioned in the letter to Col. 

 Alexander Macbeth (p. 95), refer as well to the present species. 

 The following notes from Forest and Stream bear on this phase of the 

 subject : "A number of eagles have recently been shot in various parts 

 of Pennsylvania. One, shot by John Hodman in North Coventry, 

 Chester County, had carried off bodily a large lamb and returned the 

 following day after another." (Yol. v, 1875, p. 195.) "A large white- 

 headed eagle swooped down on a flock of sheep here [Hornellsville, N. 

 Y.] and made a breakfast on lamb chops before he could be driven off." 

 (J. Otis Fellows, vol. x, 1878, p. 319.) "It [the Bald Eagle] was kUled 

 by a Mr. Towry, near Smithsville, Miss. When found by Mr. Towry 

 it had killed two of his hogs and was dining on one of them." (G. C. 

 E., vol. VIII, 1877, p. 17.) 



Mr. J. B. West mentions a neighbor who, while watching for geese on 

 the river opposite Wilkinsons Point, near the mouth of Neuces Eiver, 

 North Carolina, saw an Eagle having something in its talons and flying 

 across the river in his direction. As the river at this point is about five 

 miles wide, the bird was evidently becoming very tired and kept flying 

 lower and lower, but finally alighted on the shore within twenty steps 

 of the gunner, who shot it. The object it carried was a little live lamb 

 which was unhurt. {Ibid., vol. iv, 1875, p. 166.) This note shows to 

 what a great distance an Eagle is capable of carrying a burden fuUy 

 equal to its own weight. 



Along the coast of the South Atlantic States and on the lolver Mis- 

 sissippi, this Eagle appears to feed more on waterfowl than in any other 

 section of the country. The following note from Mr. William Brewster 

 refers to the vicinity of Cobbs Island, Virginia : " In the winter the Eagles 

 are much more numerous than at any other time of the year, and my 

 informant has, on several occasions, seen as many as eight at once. At 

 this season the neighboring bays and creeks swarm with Wild-fowl, and 

 upon these the Eagles principally live. He has never known them to 

 catch fish of any kind, although they not unfrequently rob the Fish- 

 Hawk. Geese and Brant form their favorite food, and the address dis- 

 played in their capture is very remarkable. The poor victim has ap- 

 parently not the slightest chance for escape. The Eagle's flight, 

 ordinarily slow and somewhat heavy, becomes in the excitement of 

 pursuit, exceedingly swift and gracefal, and the fugitive is quickly 

 overtaken. When close upon its quarry the Eagle suddenly sweeps be- 

 neath it, and, turning back downwards, thrusts its powerful talons up 

 into its breast. A Brant or Duck is carried off bodily to the nearest 

 marsh or sand-bar, but a Canada Goose is too heavy to be thus easily 

 disposed of. The two great birds fall together to the water beneath, 

 while the Eagle literally tows his prize along the surface until the shore 

 is reached. In this way one has been known to drag a large Goose 

 for nearly half a mile." (Bull. Nutt. Ornith. Club, vol. T, 1880, pp. 

 57-58.) 



Mr. Charles F. Batchelder, quoting Mr. John W. Baker, mentions an 



