Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1892-12-22
EAGLE AND VULTURE.
They Have a Rough-a 'd-Tumbie Owe
the Advent of a Sparrow,

They Have a Rough-a d-Tumbie Over
the Advent of a Sparrow.
Two thousand people witnessed a
novel combat the other afternoon in
Central park 1t was between large
bald eagle and king vulture The
battle-ground was within the mammoth
eagle cage west of the arsenal. For
fifteen minutes the birds fought desper-
ately before they were separated by one
of the keepers Two old sports present
said it beat any cock fight they hal
ever seen.
The cage in which the eagles are con-
fined is 80 feet long, u wide and has a
height of about Is feet: Rocks have
been piled up at each end of the cage,
where the vultures and eagles make
their eyrie. A large perch hangs be-
tween the rocks, whereon the golden
eagle and the white-tailed eagle spend
most of their time The vultures and
the bald eagle occupy the rocks. There
is no cage in the park where inmate.
are less social than that of the eagles.
All day long they stand upon the rocks
and stare into space, scarcely uttering
n sound, save when something unusual
happens.
The birds were pursuing the even
tenor of their way yesterday afternoon,
when sparrow flew into the cage and
alighted near the edge of the pool.
Instantly the king vulturc fixed his
fierce gaze upon the sparrow. There
was blood in his cruel eye. Hopping
down from one stone to another until
he reached the ground the vulture be-
gan stealing toward the sparrow, who
was dipping his wee bill into the pool.
Closer and closer to the sparrow came
the vulture, his movements not making
even sound enough to startle his vic
tim. The vulture raised one foot, and,
with extended talons, brought it down
heavily upon the smaller bird.
Scarcely had he done SO when from
his rocky eminence the bald eagle
emitted a terrific screech and, tapping
his gigantic wings swooped down upon
the vulture. The bald eagles unearthly
scream started the crowd, and there
was grand rush toward the eagle.
The eagle landed on the vulture's bacl,
and keeled over, nearly falling into the
pool. In an instant he had riggled from
under the eagle and gained his feet.
For moment the two kings of the air
stood glazing at each other. Then with
tremendous force they came together.
At the same moment each set up a
scream. From that time it was more
of rough-and-tumble than stand-up
fight. The birds would clinch, fall
down and roll over.
Time and again the bald eagle and
the king vulturc had flown at eacl
other, while the feathers flew thick anC
fast about them. Once they rolled ovel
the wounded sparrow and crushed the
life out of him. 1t would doubtless hav,
been fight to the finish but for tn,
timely interference of man, wht
thrust long pole into the cage anC
beat both birds as hard as he could. A
first they would not break away, blu
kept on clawing and biting each other
| while the man continued raining OIL
them succession of heavy blows
powerful blow on the head finally laiC
| the vulture low. The eagle sprans
| upon his fallen antagonist aud would
have made short work of him, but wa
driven into corner by the man with til,
pole, and kept there until his thirst fo
blood had subsidized N Y, Advertiser