Alabama, ipi 5. 51 



AMERICAN BALD EAGLE 



T 



HE Eagle does not acquire its white head and tail under its 

 fourth year. The head is fully feathered, and the name 

 "Bald" refers solely to its white appearance. Up to three 

 years of age it is of the same general color as the golden 

 Eagle, and to distinguish the two species it is necessary to look at 

 the lowest joint of the leg. If it is naked, the bird is a Bald Eagle, 

 but if it is covered with feathers quite down to the toes, it is a 

 golden agle. 



As a rule — to which there are numerous exceptions — the Bald 

 Eagle is found along rivers, and the shores of lakes and ponds con- 

 taining fish. Fish are its favorite food, and lambs are purely sup- 

 plementary. As a regular thing, it catches fish out of the water, 

 with neatness and despatch ; but when it sees an osprey fly by with a 

 large fish in its talons, the Eagle does not hesitate to levy tribute on 

 the subject bird. Taken thus at a great disadvantage the fish-hawk 

 has no option but to drop its fish, and go away to catch another, 

 while the Eagle catches the prize before it touches the water and 

 bears it away. 



In its distribution, this Eagle ranges over the whole of North 

 America from Mexico to Kamchatka. Considering the size of the 

 bird, it holds its own remarkably well, even in New England. In 

 Florida it is very abundant all along the Indian River, and in one 

 locality in the State of Washington it is so numerous that its depreda- 

 tions on the flocks of sheep-raisers are cause for serious complaint 

 and reprisals. 



In the East so many Eagles are caught alive and offered for sale 

 that it is a difficult matter to find sale for one at $10. This bird so 

 seldom destroys domestic animals, or game-birds, there is no excuse 

 for its destruction save possibly in a few far-western localities where 



