The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-10-06
Prowess of the Bald Eagls.

MOSb OF our recent authors nave
treated the bald eagle as sluggish,
{ fish-eaiing bird. whose entire stock of
surplus energy is devoted 10 robbng a
more industrious and less powerful
neighbor. That it has not entirely lost
its Old-time daring. SO graphically des-
| cribed by Audubon. the following ac-
! count will show. I am indebted for my
facts to Nathan Cobb, one of the old
est and most reliable of the profe eSsion-
| al duck-shooters at Cobb's Island, Va.
The species is u permanent resident in
the nei9hborhood of the island, thoa rIf
it is not often seen during the summer
months. A few, however, are said 10
breed upon the opposite mainland.
In the winter the eagles are much
more numerous than ut any other time
of the year; and my informant has, on
several occasions. seen as many as
eight at once. AT this season, the
neighboring bays and creeks swarm
with wild fowl and upon these the
eagles principally live. He has never
known them to capture fish of any
kind. although they not unfrcquently
rob the fisll-hawk. Geese and brant
form their fivorite food, and the adj
dress displayed in their capture is very
remarkable. The poor victim has APP
parently not the slightest chance for
escape. The eagles flight. ordinarily
slow and somewhat heavy, becomes, in
the excitement of the pursuit, exceed.
ingly swift and graceful; and the fugi-
tive is quickly overtaken. When close
upon its quarry, the eagle suddenly
sweeps beneath it, and. turning back
downward, thrusts its powerful talons
up into its hrerst. A brant or duck is
carried off 'div to the nearest marsh
or sand-bar, but Il Canada goose is too
heavy to be thus easily disposed of.
Tie two great birds fall together to the
water beneath, where the eagle literally
tows his prize along the surface until
the shore is reached. In this way, one
has been known to drag a large goose
for nearly half mile.
A single bird is usually seized at the
first attempt, but Mr.. Cobb has seen
an eagle repeatedly miss his aim when
in the midst of a large flock. The
very abundance of opportunities seem
to bewilder him. and he thrusts wildly
and harmlessly in all directions; but,
after the crowding masses have become
sea- tered by his onslaught. a separate
individual is selected, and quickly over
taken and killed.
Although the larger and heavier
waterfowl are more likely to be at
tackled. the royal bird seems to find lit
tie difficulty in overhauling the swftest
flying ducks. The latter, however,
often escape by diving, although in
shallow water this resource sometimes
proves of no avail, as the eagle follows
their course, and seizes them as they
rise near the surface. Under favorable
conditions. even grebes are sometimes
captured.
In winter shooting the sportsman
loses many wounded goose or brant
by the eagles. They seem fully aware
of the advantages to be gained by MAIN
tanning close espionage upon the gun
ner's movements. and Il bird that falls
at any considerable distance from the
stand is often seized and borne away
before it can be recovered. UNIVERSAL
ly hated as he is by all the gunners of
this island, the eagle is not unfrequent-
ly killed by them in the following Gu
riOus manner. The .'stOols," or decoys,
which are relied upon to -dupe the
wary WATERFOWL. sometimes deceive
even the keen-eyed bird of prey; and,
in his eagerness to secure one of the
unsuspecting flock, he swoops upon Il
wooden victim, and is riddled by a
fatal discharge from the circle of sea-
weed where the sportsman lies con-
cealed. On several occasions. when the
marauders approach did not happen
TO be observed, Mr. Cobb has had de-
coy lifted from the water and carried
off several yards before the eagle dis
covered lis mistake WiUidm BretC-
ste,. an Bulletin Mutual Cl,,b