ambruster] AN EAGLE'S CUNNING 383 



The writer does not recall ever having seen a specimen of the 

 Western Pond Turtle (M. marmoratus), as it is a Pacific Coast 

 species, and the pleasure of examining a live example of Muhlen- 

 berg's Turtle (M. muhlenbergii) has occurred but once, thus far, in 

 his lifetime. Dr. Charles H. Townsend, Director of the New York 

 Aquarium, gave him this opportunity, the specimen being a very 

 beautiful Staten Island one, and in a tank in that institution. 

 Muhlenberg's turtle is almost entirely black, being readily recog- 

 nized by the brilliant orange spot on either side of the head, near 

 the ear-opening. Still other characters distinguish it, as its high 

 and elongate carapace, which is unspotted. 



An Eagle's Cunning 



J. H. Ambruster 



Peoria, 111. 



Upon a Colorado mountainside, Frank Smith, a gold miner, from 

 his lonely cabin daily watched the majestic eagles soaring high in 

 the air. Full of American pride he desired to possess one of these 

 birds. The same pride, instinctive in all patriotic American 

 citizens, would not countenance the killing of one of the emblems of 

 the country — he wanted a live one. Accordingly he set a spring 

 trap, baited with a delicate morsel, and patiently awaited develop- 

 ments. 



While eagles were more or less plentiful in the vicinity, magpies 

 were more so; in fact, they were so numerous as to be almost a 

 nuisance. Before many minutes of waiting an elegant specimen of 

 the American eagle appeared and perched himself upon a nearby 

 jagged cliff. His searching eye apparently at once observed the 

 bait, but before he had time to fully decide as to the next move, 

 a bold magpie, who had also discovered the dainty dinner tidbit, 

 hurriedly flew down to grab it. The trap was sprung and Mr. 

 Magpie was a prisoner. In the twinkling of an eye the eagle 

 swooped down upon the unfortunate bird, plucked him from his 

 captivity, flew back to the cliff and feasted upon magpie. Then 

 wiping his bill in his feathers, he assumed his former position as 

 guardian of the trap, which in the meantime had been rebaited 

 and reset. 



