WHISTLING EAGLE. 
If not smart, they are at least dexterous on the wing. On one occasion 
I had an opportunity of seeing one of them swoop at a family of 
young domestic Ducks (a few days old) and take two of them, one in each 
talon. I could hardly credit my own eyes, but an hour later, hearing a 
disturbance among the poultry, I was out just in time to see the Eagle 
carry off two more, in spite of the Ducks’ foster-mother — a- valiant old 
hen. Unfortunately I had no gun handy at the time. They fall very 
ready victims to baits put out for Eagles (Wedge-tailed) and dingoes, 
which is a pity, as they do a lot of good clearing up offal and killing 
grasshoppers. My earliest record regarding their nesting is 13th May (1904), 
when I found a nest with one chick in a mixed covering of down and 
feather, the former predominating ; my latest date is 28th August (1903), 
when I found two nests, each with two eggs. The conspicuously spotted 
plumage of the immature bird is much more handsome than that of the 
adult. I should say these Eagles pair for life.” 
In the same part of the Emu, p. 42, is this note: “In the Geelong 
Naturalist (Dec. 1904), Mr. J. E. Mulder has the following observation: 
‘ In going over one of the forest rises I came suddenly upon a Mountain 
Duck {Casarca tadornoides), which was standing about forty yards away in 
front of me. It appeared hurt, for as I rode it flapped along the ground, 
dragging its legs behind it, the acting being so clever that I really thought 
it had been shot. I was not the only one deceived. A pair of Whistling 
Eagles {Haliastur sphenurus) kept swooping down on it as it was fluttering 
along the ground. When the Eagles darted down, the Duck lay flat in 
the dust, but started on again when I approached. My suspicions were 
aroused by its getting gradually further away. At last it rose straight 
up in the air, rivalling the Eagles themselves in vigour of flight, and 
disappeared.’ ” 
Hill {Emu, Vol. VT., p. 177, 1907) noted of the north-west of Victoria: 
“ Usually found along the creeks, where the topmost branches of the\ red 
gums are selected for nesting-places. These birds are numerous throughout 
the year, but become more plentiful in December and January, when they 
are attracted by the smell of poisoned rabbits.” 
In the Emu, Vol. VII., p. 28, 1907, Mr. T. P. Austin wrote : “ Very 
numerous, especially recently (20-4-07). I counted thirty- two practically in 
a flock. It is no uncommon thing to see haff-a-dozen birds in the same 
tree. A great many of them breed here ; I hav§ several times seen two 
nests in the same tree.” 
E. M. Cornwall, regarding Mackay, North Queensland, recorded {Emu, 
Vol. VII., p. 171, 1908) : “ A more plentiful species is the Whistling Eagle 
165 
