The Golden Eagle 





Taken in Inyo County 



A THRONE FOR THE GOLDEN EAGLE 



UNIVERSITY PEAK, IN THE SIERRA NEVADA MOUNTAINS 



Photo by the A uthor 



ago, Oberholser estimated 1 that the Golden Eagles of Montana, some 1450 

 pairs, destroyed annually 391,500 Sharp-tailed Grouse (Pedicecetes 

 phasianettus columbianns — "a number that is astonishingly large, yet 

 doubtless well within the truth." 



It will be difficult, then, for us to make out a brief in defense of this 

 royal brigand. Certainly, we cannot do so upon purely economic grounds. 

 But there is robber blood enough in all of us to make us cry, "Brother!" 

 when we hear the Eagle scream. It is envy and wicked folly, and not 

 just vengeance, which leads us to strike down this winged presence of 

 the mountains, this watcher of the deserts, and fearless companion of the 

 sun. It is good to have something with red blood among us — or over us. 

 And if it takes expensive food to sustain such quality, let him have it. 

 What are grouse and ducks and rabbits, fawns, even, before the dignity 

 of this majestic symbol! I'll take Eagles myself! 



California is the ancient citadel and heart's home of the Golden Eagle. 

 Although this storied bird occupies, or has occupied, the major portion of 



x The North American Eagles and Their Economic Relation, by Harry C. Oberholser, Biol. Surv. Bulletin, 

 No. 7, 1906, p. 28. 



I705 



