72 THE INFANCY OF ANIMALS 



his importunity, she tore the leg apart, ate half, and flew 

 away with the remainder ! A day or two afterwards this 

 youngster was found with the whole carcase of a young 

 rabbit which had just been left for him. He soon began 

 his meal, and now, tearing the hind-legs apart as he had 

 seen his mother do a day or so ago, he speedily swallowed 

 the whole, bones and all. 



For some time after young eagles and hawks are able 

 to fly they are dependent on their parents for food ; but 

 under their instruction, and with practice, they at last 

 begin to achieve success in hunting for themselves. So 

 soon as the parents are satisfied that this period of 

 independence has arrived, their attitude of unceasing 

 solicitude suddenly changes to one of open hostility. As 

 on a foe they turn on the children they have so long 

 and faithfully nurtured and drive them forth from the 

 neighbourhood for ever. 



This change of front at first strikes one with astonish- 

 ment. But a little reflection will show that therein lies 

 tlie safety not only of the family, but of the race. If all 

 the offspring reared remained in the neighbourhood, an 

 area that will support one pair of eagles will not as easily 

 support two, and the competition for food would become 

 more and more severe with each succeeding generation, 

 till sooner or later many would die from starvation. This 

 explains why we never see more than one pair of eagles 

 or one pair of ravens in any particular locality favoured 

 by these birds : and what is true of these rapacious birds 

 is true no less of other birds, though the fact is less obvious. 

 Yet another advantage to the race is secured by this at 

 first sight unnatural conduct ; and this is the prevention 

 of inbreeding. 



While it is a matter of common knowledge that birds 



