WEDGE-TAILED EAGLE (EAGLE-HAWK). 
Here we at once see the blame partially attributed to “ vandal 
sportsmen” (?) and I foresee in a few years a stiU greater blame attributed 
to such, whereas it is obvious from Batey’s admission that in this case 
they are peculiarly free from hlame. I make this comment so that in fifty 
years’ time, when this bird will be entirely extinct in Victoria without much 
doubt, the facts may be at hand for reference. I am no supporter of the 
“ pot-hunter,” vandal or otherwise, but it is unfair to load more crimes upon 
him when justly he has his own share. 
A better report from the Victorian MaUee, by Erasmus Wilson {Emu, 
Vol. XII., p. 31, 1912), reads : “ These noble birds were frequently seen during 
the trip, and several nests observed, two of which were occupied. One was 
placed about 25 feet up in a leaning maUee-tree, and contained one egg, but 
on revisiting it a week later the egg had disappeared. The vast quantity of 
rabbit remains strewn about the nests testified to the immense amount of good 
these birds undoubtedly do, and which I think nullifies the harm they are 
accused of doing in taking a stray lamb occasionally.” 
An interesting note by Stone, in the same place (p. 112), adds : “ Some 
years ago, about 4 miles from Lake Boga (Victoria), I took from an Eagle’s 
eyrie two Eaglets like two big balls of white fiufi. I carried them home in a 
covered conveyance, the parent birds keeping me in sight the greater part of 
the way. Soon after dawn next morning the young ones commenced loud 
cries, and on investigating the reason I discovered the two old birds coming 
in the distance. Upon arrival they circled in the air at an altitude of, perhaps, 
half a mile, and this was repeated daily many times for nearly three weeks. 
In the course of time one Eaglet died, but the other grew into a fine bird. I 
kept it chained by the leg to a fence, but occasionally allowed it its freedom 
for an hour or two. On one occasion it knocked down and pecked an infant. 
I thereupon packed the bird into a crate and despatched it to Melbourne. 
About six months afterwards I was very much surprised to find that the Eagle 
had flown back to me. There was no doubt about it being the same biid — it 
allowed me to catch it, and the ring of wire was still around its leg.” 
MacgiUivray {Emu, Vol. XIII., 1914, p. 150), states : “ Common in the 
Gulf Country (Queensland). At Lorraine, on the Leichhardt Biver, Mr. 
McLennan ‘ saw a Nankeen Heron that he had previously disturbed coming 
down the river at full speed with a Wedge-tailed Eagle in pimsuit. The 
Eagle stooped when opposite him, but missed the Heron, which took refuge 
in the tea-tree.’ At Cape York this Eagle was noted on two occasions.” 
The following “ Stray Feather ” from the Emu, Vol. XIII., p. 214, April 
1914, needs comment : “ Eagles. — About two months ago I saw two large 
Eagles {Uroaetus audax) near the Werribee Gorge, Victoria, and estimated 
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