The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1897-01-19
THE KING OF BIRDS.
EfS REALM AMONG TIE MOtiNi'-
AIMS OK EAST TENNESSEE.
Habits and recuIIdritIes or the
American Eagle as Exhibited
TO the Hunter-Hoyy lie
is Captured.
HERE are many esslos in the

iiSNo hHu adventures. EnSieB make
their eyries among the clefts and crags
OF the highest mountains OF the State
he American yacht Defender, which
defeated the English yacht Valkyrie
III, In the famous international race
last year, carried as its mascots two
young eaglets captured in the Tenn
essee mountains. Private owrsrs of
yachts, captains OF big ocean liners and
the steamboat men OF the big rivers OF
America are very partial to englets as
petF, aud tho eagle catchers find this
class OF men among their best custom
ere.
Young eagles bring from $40 to $50.
occasionally 800. Eagles that are o:
some age and OF great size tsuch are
rarely captured, however) bring as
high as $500 TO $500. Eagles which
have to be killed while trying to cap
ture them are valuable 10 taxidermists,
who always finds an easy market for a
great stuffed eagle. The feathers.
especially the wing aud tail feathers,
are sold for COOL prices.
The eagle builds its most upon the
TOP OF mighty tree growing far up on
tue mountain among the myriad of
twiniug vines. or in the thickest and
almost inaccessible growth of bushes
ana shrubs, or on the summit of n
ilSh rock. An eagles nest is large
one always. md is strongly and com
1ortably built. Large sticks aud
branches are laid together, nearly fiat,
and bound with twining vines. The
spacious inside is covered with hair
ana mosses so mInutely woven to-
gethor that no wind can enter. The
mother bird lays two eggs which are
curiosities. The long eud tapers down
to point. The color OF the egg is II
ground OF brcwish red, with MANY
dots and spots upon il. The cgs it
self is proof of the wild and savage
parentagc.
An eagle lives from eighty 10 $50
Year,. The Young birds are driven
forth by their savage parents 10
scratch for themselves ms soon as thew
are able to fly. No training is given
them by the old bird. That is LETT TO
their wild instincts, which hunger and
necessity develop. There is no going
back TO the old home" for the Young
eagle. The mother bird tears M
every vestige of the nest where they
have tbriven since birth, and while
they emit plaiEtive shrieks the old
bird darts Mt them and pushes them
oil the cra8s or rocks, and to prevent
falling they must take to their wings.
and this is how they learn to fly. 1t
takes three years for n young eagle to
gain its full nnl complete plumage
ind strength
III the male bird be the stronger.
the most of the prey belongs to him,
and he allows the female to-eat pal
cry share between fierce thrusts of his
Deak mt her. Ii the female is the
stronger land she generally ISL, the
male bird covers and winces under
many fierce blows from his uufceling
wife, no matter how small the mersel
he gets. But when danger threatens.
no human pair can battle so fiercelv
Tor each her ms can two eagles. The
breed Dg season begins about March.
and each male has but one mate dnr.
ing his entire life. II tho female i,
killed or captured. the surviving male
becomes an eagle hermit and tiercer
than ever.
They are often seen near their
nests together, and when the sun is
shining take their majestic flights
straight toward that great ball OF fire
until they disappear from sight. Sit.
ting upon the mountain side. their
vision Is so keen that they can see far
down the valley sheep or youno
goat, big turkey or rooster, a small
pig, rabbit, or large bird, and almost
in the twinkliny Of IN eye they de.
scend suddenly upon their victim.
One mighty grasp and twist of their
talons and the victim liz dead, long be.
fore the eagle lays it down for repast.
An eagle can live two and three dave,
and even five days, upon n gorging
meal They prey upon all sorts of
large birds, fish, lambs, kids and
goats. Oltentimes when large calf
or scat is to be attacked and carried
OFT, four or six OF them will unite anil
carry of the carcass, when they will
immediately begin TO fight il ont TO
see which Of them is entitled TO the
choicest bits, and IL is truly a survival
OF the fittest in such combats as these.
An eagle is always fully onident OF
his strength, and rarely overreasbes
himself IN his rapncious desire for
prey. The minuteness OF their vision.
for they can take IN Mt searching
glance the presence OF desirable prev
IN a radius Of many miles on noun
tain, valley, forest, swamp, or field. |
humanity cannot comprehend. With
this wonderful power OF sight is com.
bined n swiftness Of flight equally Ms
wonderful. In q single night and in
day aiull grown eagle can hya thousand
miles. Tho flight Of m eagle after
prey is like fash Of lightning, and
ho rushes past like falling meteor,
descending with n fearful force upon
his victim, which is staggered Mt the
blow Of bis cruel talons
Eagles are captured by expert noun.
taincrF, Who spy upon the parent bird
building her nest. and wait for tue
breeding season. After due time
thoy scale The mountains, and, wei
armed for toe inevitable fight with
the parent hir Is, 80 TO these mountain
eyries. Ofteniimes four men are re
quired to let one OF them down u steep
Irtcip'ce or cliG, while two OF them.
dead shots With tho ride, shoot and