NORTH AMtlHlCAN BIRDS. 



219 



r:tP^^ 



:152. Bald Eaglk (From Brehm). 



Florida Common resident of Oregon and Washington Territory. It is particularly 

 common along the. Columbian River, where the supply of fish is abundant. The eggs 

 are deposited from December to April, according to locality. The Bald Eagle is not 

 the sluggish, fish-eating bird that some writers state it to be. devoid of energy, ob- 

 taining its living by robbing the industrious Osprey. " It has been known to swoop 

 down upon flocks of Geese. Brant. Duck and Coot, select a particular bird, when the 

 flocks scattered, and successfully carry off its victim to the nearest sand-bar. If it is 

 a goose and too heavy, both birds fall into the water, when the Eagle literally tows 

 the prize along the surface until the shore is reached.* This bird also captures 

 wounded ducks and other birds, and feeds on putrid fish and flesh. Florida seems 

 to be a favorite breeding ground of the Bald Eagle, where they nest usually in Jan- 

 uary, but In the extreme southern portions— Cape Sable and the Keys in that reglo-n— 



• Wm. Brewster: Bull. Nutt. Club, Vol. V, pp. 57-68. 



