The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1873-04-10
An Imperial Battle.

The nursery-maids and their little
charges who usually haunt the vicinity of
the Old Arsenal in the Central Park yes
terday witnessed most exciting Incl
dent. Anybody who has visited what
the Park Commissioners are pleased to
call the geological collection" must have
noticed the large wire inclosure, with its
gaunt leafless trees and small oval pond
assigned to the eagles. Ordinarily, there
is no particular interest taken In the awk-
ward and sailor-like movements of the
imperial captives. The sight-seers usually
treat this part of the show with cool con-
tempt. Whether it was this action on
the part of the visitors, or some private
and domestic rivalry, that aroused the ire
of the eagles is not known; but it is GER
tain that yesterday most contentious
spirit was exhibited by the birds. They
seemed divided into two factions. Hos
tilities commenced early in the day .; but
after individual combats had taken place,
without any other result than a great scat
tering of feathers and the spilling of some
blood, it was apparently decided to settle
the matter by selecting champion from
each side to contest the victory. The
method by which this decision was ar
rived at was not made clear to the observ-
ers outside the cage. But that some
agreement was entered into was very ev-
ident from the subsequent conduct of the
birds. A little after noon two eagles ad-
vanced from opposite ends of the cage to-
ward the center. One was a compare
lively small bird, with white head; the
other was splendid specimen Of the large
gray eagle. They met near the little pond,
and after glaring at each other for few
seconds, commenced the battle. The
movements of the combatants were not
unlike the unfeathcred bipeds, who some
times contest in the roped arena. Five or
seven minutes were consumed in what
in ring parlance would be styled eight
ing for an opening" AT length the cham
pions rushed in, and for a moment there
was terrible screaming, Tapping of
wings and flying of feathers. The round,
however, was completed without any Sc
rious damage to either of the contestants.
After little more fencing the smallest of
the two-the birds being at this time at
the edge of the pond-by dexterous
movement succeeded in fastening his tai
ons in the neck of his opponent and drag
ging him into the water. The utmost eff
forts of the gray eagle failed to throw off
his adversary. The excitement among
the spectators at this time was consider
able. Somebody called for keeper, and
in few seconds one of these officials ar
rived, and rushed into the cage armed
with large stick. The smaller bird he
beat ON the head with all his force, and
even lifted both birds out of the water with
his stick. His efforts were not attended
with success. The small bird held on
with the tenacity of bnll-dog, and never
relinquished his hold until he had, partly
by keeping it under the water and partly
by tearing it with his talons, killed the
large eagle. After the battle the white
headed champion stalked with dignified
steps to an adjacent perch, and spread
ing out his plumage to dry, glared fierce
signified their approval or otherwise by
the most unearthly screams. The dead
eagle was carried away by the Keepers
~ Y Times.