288 MICHIGAN BIRD LIFE. 
tail which readily identify it. Immature birds, lack these distinguishing 
marks and are readily confused with the Golden Eagle. They may be 
known always, however, by the partly bare shank or tarsus, coupled of 
course with the large size the spread of wing being from six to seven feet, 
averaging a little less than that of the Golden Eagle. 
Distribution.—‘‘United States to Southern Lower California and north- 
ern Mexico, breeding in suitable locations throughout its range’ (A. O. U. 
Check List, 1910).* 
The Bald Eagle is generally distributed over the state, but is most com- 
monly seen near the shores of the Great Lakes, or along the larger rivers, 
and is nowhere abundant. Its food consists very largely of fish and it 
seldom or never nests at any great distance from some region where this 
food can be obtained in abundance. It seems to be resident, or practically 
so, wherever found and if it absents itself at all it is only for a short time 
during the coldest weather when the waters on which it depends so largely 
for its food are tightly frozen. 
It was formerly much more abundant, and probably a few pairs nested 
in every county in the state, but the birds are followed relentlessly by 
hunters who shoot them for specimens or for mere sport, and the nests 
have been robbed year after year by egg collectors, so that one by one 
the nests have been deserted and the birds have withdrawn to places of 
greater security. It is much to be regretted that this wanton destruction 
has been permitted, and it is a matter of congratulation that by an act 
of the legislature of 1905, renewed at each subsequent session, these noble 
birds are protected together with other non-game birds, and their destruc- 
tion or the disturbance of their nests at any time of year becomes an offense 
punishable by fine and imprisonment. 
Although this is one of the largest of our birds of prey, and has been chosen 
as the emblem of the Republic, it is nevertheless a robber of a rather dis- 
graceful type, and although it frequently captures worthy prey, in open 
fight or by direct attack, it often robs the Fish Hawk, compelling it to 
relinquish the fish which it has just captured. When nothing better offers 
it feeds freely upon decomposing fish washed up along the shore, or upon 
carrion, in company with the Crow and Raven. ‘True, it kills many rabbits, 
grouse, ducks and water fowl of various kinds, and even stoops to squirrels, 
mice and snakes; but on the whole it confers no decided benefits on the 
agriculturist, although on the other hand, it is not commonly injurious. 
On rare occasions it picks up a hen, usually at a distance from the house, 
and in early spring it has been known to destroy young lambs, but these 
are not common offenses. 
The nest is very bulky and conspicuous, placed high up in a large tree 
(often a dead one), and often so situated as to command a wide view of the 
surrounding country. It is occupied year after year by the same pair of 
eagles and is only slightly repaired each spring before the laying of eggs. 
This takes place quite early in the season, in December or January in 
Florida, and from February to March in the middle states. It is likely that 
the exact time of egg laying varies with different pairs and in different 
seasons, but in Michigan the eggs probably are laid in the latter part of 
March or the first of April. But a single brood is reared in a season and 
the period of incubation is about thirty days. The eggs are commonly 
two. very rarely three; pure white in color (unless nest-stained), and average 
3 by 2.30 inches 
*¥For notes on the Northern Bald Eagle, see Appendix. 
