96 THE HAWKS AND OWLS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



eases to posterity. * * * The Golden Eagle (noble as he is thought 

 to be) will eat carrion when pressed for food. * * * The Golden 

 Eagle also preys upon various species of birds, notably the blackcock 

 and red grouse, ptarmigan, curlews, and plovers, dropping upon them 

 unawares or simply taking the young and weakly ones; for never does 

 the bird pursue and strike them like the true falcon." (Hist, of Brit- 

 ish Birds, vol. I, 1883, pp. 98, 99.) 



Occasionally it will attack large animals, as the following from Mr. 

 Charles F. Morrison shows : " The bird had captured and killed a good 

 sized black-tailed deer, and was shot while sitting upon its body." (Or- 

 nithologist and Oologist, vol. xiv, 1889, p. 25.) 



To sum up, it may be stated that in sections of the country where 

 rabbits, prairie dogs, or gophers are abundant the Golden Eagle is very 

 beneficial, confining its attention mainly to these noxious animals; but 

 in places where wild game is scarce it is often very destructive to the 

 young of domesticated animals, and hence in such places has to be kept 

 in check. 



The nest usually is placed on a shelf or ledge on the face of a rocky 

 cliff, or, in some sections of the country, among the branches of large 

 trees. This latter site seems to be more common along the west coast 

 than in other parts of the country. The structure is nothing more than 

 a platform of dry sticks, some of which are several inches in diameter; 

 and as the same place is used for a series of years and new material 

 added each year, the mass acquires very large dimensions, often meas- 

 uring from 6 to 8 feet in diameter. The cavity is shallow and is lined 

 with dry straw, grass or moss, green leaves, or in the north, the fur and 

 feathers of mammals and birds which have served as food. 



The full complement of eggs is from one to four, two or three being 

 the common number. In California the first half of March appears to 

 be the time when most of the eggs are deposited. Occasionally an 

 early set may be found in February or a late one in April. In the 

 far north sets are not completed before the last of April or the first 

 of May. 



Some writers allege that this Eagle remains mated throughout life, 

 which is not at all improbable, for generally two birds are seen together 

 at all seasons. The female sits closely during incubation and is 

 attentively cared for and assisted by the male, which, in case the female 

 is killed, takes full charge of the brood. The male is more shy than the 

 female, and hence is less often killed. 



A great deal of nonsense has been written about the valor displayed 

 by this bird in protecting its nest and in attacking' persons who attempt 

 to rob it of the eggs or young. Interesting as these accounts may be, 

 they have but little foundation in fact, so far at least as this country 

 is concerned, for the birds are arrant cowards, and as soon as the nest 

 is approached leave the neighborhood and do not return, even when 

 there are young in the nest, until after the foragers have passed out of 

 gun range. 



