SUPPLEMENT TO BIRDS OF ESSEX COUNTY 105 



In this case gravitation acts like the kite-string, and by skillful disposition of 

 the plane of the wings to the up-current, the bird remains motionless if the wind 

 is steady. When the wind is irregular and flawy, the bird swings about more or 

 less, just as a kite acts under similar circumstances. When the wind drops for a 

 moment the bird hovers. 



When two birds soar upward together they are apt to whistle. It is a loud 

 peeping and rather plaintive whistle suggestive somewhat of the whistle of the 

 Red-tailed Hawk, but lacking the sound of escaping steam. 



I have examined the stomach of one of these birds that was shot at the 

 Heath Hen Reservation in Martha's Vineyard. It was believed by the keeper 

 to have been harassing the Heath Hens. The stomach was stuffed with mice fur 

 and bones ; not a feather was to be found. I believe it is one of the most bene- 

 ficial of our hawks. 



154 [349] Aquila chrysaetos (Linn.). 



Golden Eagle. 

 Very rare visitor. 



Besides the four specimens from the County mentioned in the original 

 Memoir I can add the following : a Golden Eagle was shot at Peach's Point, Mar- 

 blehead, on November 5, 191 5. The specimen is now in the Museum of the Pea- 

 body Academy at Salem. 



155 [352] Haliaeetus leucocephalus leucocephalus (Linn.). 



Bald Eagle. 



Not uncommon visitor at all seasons. 



Damsell's^ records for this bird are as follows : " In 1890, ' one dark and two 

 white-headed birds' were seen March i, and a single bird May 30. In 1891, 

 there are records for February 7, July 15, August 3 and 11, December 20." On 

 July 16, 1905, I saw an immature Bald Eagle sitting bolt upright on Eagle Dune, 

 at Ipswich, with its tail pressed into the sand. As it flew off it was attacked by 

 Crows that seemed small in comparison. On January 31, 1909, Mr. G. M. Bubier 

 saw one at Nahant, and Mr. H. W. Wright saw probably the same bird on Feb- 

 ruary 2, 1909, on the thin ice of Lynn Harbor. On February 3, 1912, Mr. J. D. 

 Sornborger saw one at Rowley and on March 5 of the same year Mr. G. M. Bubier 

 saw one near Lawrence. Mrs. Martha E. Ward saw one at Birch Pond, Lynn, 



1 Allen, G. M. Auk, vol. 30, p. 25, 1913. 



