Vol i9** IV ' ] G A U K RO DG E R , The Way of an Eagle. 
5 
with rough paint to resemble other tree trunks of the vicinity), 
l he ants. Hies, beetles and small lizards, taking advantage of the 
little shade, had already entered into occupation, and 1 conjured 
in my mind a future “lively” time. 
Still, 1 viewed with satisfaction the position of the “pieces” of 
the game 1 was playing, and felt that I had challenged the mighty 
Eagle to a game of chess. So when, five days later, two little 
fluffy eaglets appeared, it was my opponent's ‘‘opening move.” 
To meet this 1 bored into the upright branch, already mentioned, 
with a three-quarter inch auger, leaving it in this position, and 
attached “Dummy” to the shank thereof at a distance of exactly 
twenty-six feet from the centre of the nest. “Dummy” was only # 
a “pawn” in the game, but the move would occupy my opponent’s 
attention while I would warily attack the stronghold with 
“Stump,” whom l looked upon as my “Queen piece.” I kept 
“Stump” as much out of sight as possible, but, starting from 
a spot half a mile distant, moved him up each day a “space” of 
about a hundred yards—and at each move I said “Check!” On 
the tenth day 1 reached the small thicket and hid “Stump’* therein. 
This “check move” was certainly very menacing to my opponent’s 
position, but the big creature appeared to be oblivious to all 
that was going on. ' ' ' ’ 
On the second day after hatching, it seemed strange that I had 
not seen either of the old birds, and I began to wonder if they 
had deserted, and consequently upset all my scheming; but when 
the nest was inspected the two chicks were alive and well, and a 
newly-killed lizard indicated they were being well tended. From 
subsequent observations, substantiated by those made at another 
nest, it became clear to me that it is the habit of Eagles' not to. 
tarry near home after the chicks have hatched. They may be 
seen miles away, flying low in search of food or soaring over at 
a great height, meanwhile constantly' uttering a threatening 
whistle. That is the beginning and the end of an Eagle’s‘fight 
in the interests of its young. I name the great Wedge-tail &S 
being a most unusually cowardly bird in this respect; and 
affirm that there is more home-protection fight in a little Wag¬ 
tail’s toe than in an Eagle’s whole body. When trapped or 
wounded, however, the Wedge-tail is a very ferocious and danger¬ 
ous -bird with which to trifle. Ide will “parry” and “duck,” and „ 
pretend that his beak is his principal weapon of defence; but 
such is only his method of sparring for an opening, and when this 
shows he will, with lightning-like speed, bring up both. talons in 
a snatching action, with disastrous results to any flesh which they 
may meet. The young birds, as soon as they can stand, will, 
quite naturally employ the same defensive methods. - 
On the morning after “Stump’s” arrival at the nest; I was 
startled to find the headless body of an eaglet on the ground' 
nearby. Immediately I again ascended, fearful that both had 
been killed, and that the game was lost. However, to liiy delight, 
there remained the other eaglet, looking strong-and liealthy and 
