30 NORTH AMERICAN EAGLES. 



Barracks, Ariz., in the same month. Mr. L. M. Turner states that 

 in Alaska the dead fishes along the shore are at times probably eaten, 

 though he seems to have no actual proof of this occurrence. 



Tortoises are occasionally captured, and, according to Brehm, are 

 made ready for eating by being dropped from a height to break the 

 shell. Mr. Vernon Bailey found remains of a tortoise among the 

 debris under an eagle' s aery at Cuervo, New Mexico . But possibly the 

 most remarkable food that the golden eagle has ever been known to 

 eat is that which Brehm says was once found in its stomach by 

 Doctor Reichenow — potatoes! 



In captivity this species readily accepts any kind of fresh meat, of 

 which it will consume as much as two pounds daily. It also has 

 been known to eat a piece of cooked beefsteak. Curiously enough, 

 some individuals refuse to touch flesh that is in the least degree 

 tainted, or even that has once accidentally been dropped from the 

 claws. Chickens, sparrows, and other birds, cats, squirrels, rats, and 

 other mammals, alive or dead, as well as raw fish, are apparently 

 enjoyed. 



ECONOMIC STATUS. 



The considerable destruction of fawns for which the golden eagle 

 is responsible must, in an economic estimate, be set down against the 

 bird. The large number of grouse, ptarmigan, and other similar 

 game birds killed is a very heavy charge against it, for most of 

 these birds, aside from their food value to man, are known to be 

 of considerable economic importance as insect and weed-seed destroy- 

 ers. The destruction of water birds, such as ducks and geese, is, in 

 the golden eagle's case, of much less consequence, since the number 

 taken is relatively small, but so far as it goes is for the most part an 

 injury. The song and other birds taken are so few that they need 

 scarcely more than be mentioned. The very common depredations 

 upon the young of various domestic animals, particularly sheep, 

 form one of the most damaging counts against this eagle; and 

 although lambs seem not especially to be sought when other food is 

 plenty and easily secured, the loss at times is so great that means 

 have to be taken for protection of the flocks, usually by killing the 

 eagles. Poultry, though not infrequently caught, is ordinarily pro- 

 tected by being near the farmhouse, where the eagle does not usually 

 care to venture. 



On the other hand, much good is done by the often extensive 

 slaughter of spermophiles in agricultural or grazing localities, where 

 they are very injurious to crops. The same may be said of prairie 

 dogs, except that their geographic distribution is much more limited, 

 and that for this and other reasons they are not so frequently 

 captured. 





