THE EAGLE FISHERIES. 195 
streum, but is prevented, and speedily forced by 
the eagle to the earth. Then crushing the dying 
bird beneath his feet, he drives his sharp claws 
deep into its breast, and assured of its dying 
agonies, the ferocious victor again shrieks with 
joy. When in pursuit of water fowl, which, 
the eagles are aware, have it in their power to 
elude their grasp by diving, exerting the utmost 
ingenuity, they combine their forces for the cap- 
ture. On marking their prey, both soar to a 
vertain height, when: suddenly one sails swiftly 
towards the water bird, which dives at his ap- 
proach. 
The pursuer then rises in the air to meet his 
companion, which, in his turn, flies to intimid- 
ate the victim, which emerges for a moment to 
breathe, but is forced to plunge afresh. The 
first eagle then takes the place of his successor, 
and the poor bird, thus alternately menaced and 
fatigued, makes for the shore, when instantly 
both eagles settling upon it, divide it as their 
booty. So unscrupulous is the rapacity of this 
bird, that it resorts to the most revolting ex- 
pedient to gratify it. Its daring is astonishing, 
and it succeeds in scaring even the vulture and 
crow. Often it pursues them, and becomes pos: 
sessor of their loathsome spoil. Tradition tells 
its frequent attempts to capture children. 
Audubon, though unable to verify this fror 
