228 
ORDERS OF BIRDS— BIRDS OF PREY 
as to its identity was ended satisfactorily by 
some who oracularly pronounced it an “eagle 
bird.” 
But, no matter how many persons there are 
in this country who do not know our national 
bird, I will not humiliate “Old Baldy” by for- 
mally introducing him. To every intelligent 
American, the perfect bird, with its snow-white 
head, neck and tail, is recognizable at a distance 
of a mile or more. To see one perching on the 
topmost branch of a dead tree, overlooking a 
water prospect, with its snowy head shining 
in the sunlight like frosted silver, is enough to 
thrill any beholder. Even when in flight, an 
eagle can be distinguished from all other birds 
by its slow and powerful wing-strokes, and the 
great breadth of its wings, especially near their 
extremities. 
It is unfortunate that this Eagle does not 
acquire its white head and tail until 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 (tarsus) of the leg. If it is naked, the bird 
is a Bald Eagle; but if it is covered with feath- 
ers quite down to the toes, it is a golden eagle. 
As a rule — to which there are numerous ex- 
ceptions — the White-Headed Eagle is found 
along rivers, and the shores of lakes and ponds 
containing fish. Fish are its favorite food, and 
lambs are purely supplementary. As a regular 
thing, it catches fish out of the water, with neat- 
ness and despatch ; but when it sees an osprey 
flying 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. 
This act of the Eagle, and the extra trouble 
it puts upon the fish-hawk in catching duplicate 
fish, is by a few writers taken seriously to heart. 
So is the additional fact that Eagles — like many 
human beings — often eat dead fish that are 
found floating upon the water, or are cast up 
on the shore. For these, and other reasons 
equally weighty (!), it has become almost a 
fashion among writers to denounce the Bald 
Eagle, and declare it a shame that such a bird 
ever was chosen as our national standard-bearer. 
Some have asserted that the brave and high- 
minded wild turkey would have been more ap- 
propriate ! 
Against all of this, I have nothing to say. The 
American Eagle needs no defence from me. 
Whether 
“ He clasps the crag with hooked hands, 
Close to the sun in lonely lands,” 
or perches defiantly on the United States coat- 
of-arms, with a brow to threaten or command, 
he is beloved by at least seventy-two million 
people who will rise as one whenever he is really 
in need of defenders. Abroad, it once was well- 
nigh an international fashion to flout this bird, 
and the standard he bears; but since May 1, 1900, 
that fashion has gone out. Abroad, those who 
do not respect this bird fear him, wholesomely. 
At home, it is quite time for all strangers to 
secure an introduction to him, and for some of 
those who should be his friends but are not, to 
write him down no longer. 
In its distribution, this Eagle ranges over 
the whole of North America from Mexico to 
Kamchatka. Considering the size of this bird, 
it holds its own remarkably well, even in New 
England. In Florida it is very abundant all 
along Indian River, and in one locality in the 
State of Washington it is so numerous that its 
depredations 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 it happens to 
be very numerous, and evinces a particular fond- 
ness for lambs. 
About every six months there appears in 
some newspaper an account of a child having 
been attacked by a fierce Eagle, and rescued by 
a heroic mother, or else actually carried off to 
the top of a tall tree or rocky cliff, from which 
the child was finally rescued unhurt, etc., etc. 
It is quite time that this absurd yarn, which is 
nearly as old as the Swiss Alps in which it origi- 
nated, were consigned to the oblivion it deserves. 
Eagles know what guns are, and nothing is 
