118 
THE EAGLE. 
strongly, went through the ribs, and piercing the 
liver proved 'fatal. On opening the bird's stomach, 
it was found entirely empty, which may explain in 
some degree the cause of so unusual an attack. The 
brave little boy did not receive a scratch, though 
there can he little doubt, that had the bird not 
been weakened by hunger, a blow or two from its 
sharp strong beak would have penetrated through 
the scull into the brain, and caused instant death. 
Eagles of this particular sort are very common in 
that part of the country, and are often known to 
carry off a Turkey, or even a Goose, but this was 
the first instance of their attacking children, though 
in New South Wales, a celebrated navigator, Captain 
Flinders, met with something of the same sort. He 
was walking with some of his officers, when a large 
Eagle, with a fierce aspect, and outspread wing, was 
seen bounding towards them, but stopping short at 
about twenty yards off, he flew up into a tree. Soon 
after, another bird of the same kind discovered him- 
self, and flying above their heads, made a sudden 
pounce downwards 9 but checked himself before he ac- 
tually touched them. Captain Flinders supposed that 
they took him and his party for Kangaroos, which, 
when sitting up on their hind-legs, according to their 
usual habit, are about the height and form of a man. 
On these animals the Eagles were observed to feed, 
having been seen watching quietly in the trees till a 
Kangaroo made its. appearance, when down they flew 
and tore it in pieces in an instant. Probably this 
was the truth, for the country was very desolate, and 
as far as they could judge, uninhabited, so that the 
Eagles might neveV have seen men before. 
