EAGLES. 597 



In the Canton of Vaud two little girls, one three years old and 

 the other five, were playing together in a meadow. An Eagle 

 swooped down upon the eldest, and carried her off. All that 

 immediately afterwards could be found upoa a most active search 

 was a shoe and stocking belonging to the child. Two months 

 having elapsed, a shepherd discovered the remains of the little 

 victim, horribly mutilated, and lying upon a rock half a league 

 from the meadow fi-om which she was taken. 



In the Isle of Skye, in Scotland, a woman left her child in 

 a field. An Eagle carried off the little one in its talons, and 

 crossing over a broad lake, laid it upon a rock. Fortunately 

 the robber was perceived by some shepherds, who came up in 

 time to succour the infant. 



In Sweden a babe was carried away under somewhat similar 

 circumstances. The mother, who was only a short distance off, 

 heard the shrieks of the poor little thing ; but it was impossible 

 for her to rescue it. It was borne out of her sight, and the 

 wretched woman went mad with grief. 



In the Canton of Geneva a boy of ten years old, who was 

 robbing an Eagle's nest, was seized by one of the birds, and 

 borne to a point six hundred yards from the spot. He was rescued 

 by his companions without having suffered further injury than 

 some severe wounds inflicted by the bird's talons.' 



In the Feroe Isles an Eagle flew away with a child (which its 

 mother had left for a few moments), and bore it off to its aerie. 

 Maternal love inspired the unfortunate woman with such a degree 

 of strength as to enable her to reach the nest ; but alas ! to find 

 her child lifeless. 



Near New York, in America, a lad of seven years of age was 

 attacked by an Eagle. The boy having avoided the first shock, 

 the Eagle persevered in its onslaught ; but he waited for it bravely, 

 and gave the bird a vigorous blow under the left wing with a 

 sickle, which killed it. When the stomach of this Eagle was 

 opened it was found entirely devoid of food. The bird was, there- 

 fore, in a famished state, and consequently enfeebled. Its per- 

 sistent boldness is thus explained, and also the ease with which 

 it was mastered. 



We must, however, confess that cases of children being carried 



