Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1897-05-14

N'~@.acNt~@sDN
and the Treatment OF the Young--Iiow
They Are Captured.
There are many eagles In the Tennes-
see mountains. and there are mountain
GERS who are expert catchers Of the
young eaglets. who reap rich rewards In
return for their perilous risks and ad-
ventures. Eagles make their eyries
among the clefts and crags Of the high
est mountains of the state. They ARE
found ON the Stone mountain, the great
Roane. 8.296 feet high; tho Bald, 8, $50
feet; the Great Smoky range, 0, $50
feet; the Bullhead. 6,6l3 feet; ON the
Unnka, the Big Stone and others. none
OF them less than 5000 feet above the
level of the country at their feet.
Young eagles bring from $40 to $50,
occasionally 800. Eagles that are of
some age and of great size (such are
rarely captured, however) bring as high
as $500 and 5000. Eagles which have to
BIO killed while trying to capture them
are valuable to taxidermists. who al
ways find an easy market for a great
stuffed eagle. Their feathers. especially
the wing and tail feathers. are sold for
good prices.
The eagle builds its nest upon the top
Of a mighty tree growing far up on the
mountain among the myriad of twining
vines, or in the thickest and almost in
accessible growth OF bushes and shrubs.
or on the summit Of a high rock. An
eagles nest is q large one always, aud
is strongly and comfortably built. Large
sticks and branches are laid together,
nearly fiat, and bound with twining
vines. The spacious inside IL covered
with hair and MOSES 20 infinitely woven
together that no wind can enter. The
mother bird lays two eggs. which are
curiosities. The long end tapers down
to. o. point Tho color Of the egg IL u
ground Of brownish red, with many dots
and spots upon it. The egg itself Is
proof Of the wild and savage parentage.
An eagle lives from 80 TO 100 years.
The young birds are driven forth by
their savage parents to scratch for them
selves as soon as they are athletic fly, No
training Is given them by tho old bird.
That Is left to their wild Instincts,
which hunger and necessity develop.
There is no going ''back to the old
home for tho young eagle. The mother
bird tears up ever vestige OF the nest
where they nave thriven since birth, ana
while they emit plaintive shrieks the
oil bird darts at them and pushes them
Off the orags or rocks, and to prevent
falling they must take to their wings,
and this is how they learn to fly. 1t
| mkes three years Ior young eagle 70
gam its fuii ana complete plumage ana
strength.
away up In the mountains the eagle
mas u w naru 10 gam suosisuehce az 40
the grumDiers OF the PLAIN. Inc Precari
BUSINESS OF Its existence and the wild
manner ID whioh 1000 IL gathered seem
70 give the bird feroclty az u grows
OLDER Ihey range among the mountains
ana valleys IN pairs tneir young never
IoiiowinB, put uoing the pest they can.
Inc stern. unsociai tyranny, beginning
Win the homeless ana outcast eagiet' IL
continued III later years with their
mates
Al tne male bird DC the Stronger the
most OF the prey belongs 10 nm, ana no
allows tne ienlnie 10 eat paltry snare
Detween heroe .hrus's Oh MS peak NJ her.
II the demaie ~ the stronger cana sne
generally lsh the maze Dird covers ana
winces under many q heIce piow from
pis uhieeiihB WIG, no inhtter now small
the morseI ne gets. But when DANGER
threatens no human PAR can D"ttie so
nerceiy for each o'her az can TWO eagles
'Inp breeding Hlua0n UnNlnH nnOut mArph.