Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1901-12-07
AN EAGLES NEST.
Peril of Egg Hunters on the CaiiToS-
mia COast.

Peril of Egg Hunters on the Cofires-
mia Coast.
Those who seek to rob birds nests
sometimes repent of their deed, espe-
cially If the bird happens to be an eagle
as fierce as those on the California
coast. The birds are seldom shot, and
consequently they have increased In
numbers; but the eggs are in demand
by collectors, and a few adventurous
spirits make business of trying to Sc
cure them. e. 4. Holder tells In the
New York Commercial Advertiser of AZ
adventure wherein two egg-hunters had
trying experience, and the eagles
came or victorious.
The nest was on a rocky pinnacle.
perhaps 100 feet in height, completely
separated from the shore. In storms
the waves rose, a splendid mass OF
foam, to the very summit. The base
was covered with kelp. and the waves
would rise eight or ten feet, then as sud
denly drop away, leaving jagged points
upon which a boat would be hung until
overwhelmed by the next wave.
One quiet day the men approached
They rowed about the rock for ten min
utes, then. the sea being level, rushed.
at 1t. With all their care. however. the
boat was dashed on a ledge, and they
found themselves prisoners on the rock
with nothing to cattle provisions hay
ing been lost newfoundland the bot.
tom of the boat crushed in.
~~A
water, and being still determined to try
for the eggs. they turned their atten.
ton to the nest, allaying their uncasi-
ness by the thought that some passing
yacht would take them of.
The rock, however, proved slippery
from long accumulation of guano. and.
the men found It impossible to climb
nearer than forty feet from the nest,
One Of the Adventures decided to at
tempt that last forty feet after the fash
ion adopted by South Pacific natives
in climbing trees. A long rope. doubled.
| with stone attached to the doubled
end, was hurled over the rock 40 thar
It fell on the other side, thus encircling
1t. Then the gg-huuter began climbing
barefooted. not going up, but gradually
circling the pillar and hltchIng the rope
upward.
| In one circuit of the rock he had
gained ten or twelve feet, and tho foot
ing was growing better. The second
brought him twenty-five feet up. lie
was reaching down to raise the ro:e.
when he heard a cry from his compan-
ion. and then came sharp wlristiing
sound, rush, ana something Allied the
air In front Of him, striking fierce blows
and throwing him from his feet, 20 that
he hung for second by the rope. faius
and bewildered.
1t was the mother engle. that had
plunged down upon him from great
height She was driven OF for time
by the man below. who hit her squarely
on the breast with n stone.
The hunter, still undaunted, proceed
cd to climb. this time with his knife
between his teeth. When he was with
in five feet Of the top the former expert
cncc was repeated.
A short. sharp fight ensued. The bird
fell away, but Immediately returned.
AuS uuu stIuCh ~ ~ Win uin huitvy
missed 1t, ana then. while ono Of its
claws was fastened In his cl0thlng. lost
has balance md fell against tho rope.
The rope broke. and bird and man went
plunglng into the sea.
The fact that the birds talOn had
caught In his clothing saved the hunt.
cr's life. for the eagle. as seen Us iE
struck the water, began to try to fly.
and actually helped the man out OF the
kclp bed into which he had fallen.
Then by Its struggles It freed itself. anG
the hunter swan to the rock.
All thought of securing the eggs was
now abandoned. The boat proved 10
be damaged beyond repair, and the men
spent miserable night In u crcvicc OF
the rock, the sea rising all around them.
Late on the following day they were
rescued by passing boat.