The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-03-02
EASTERN SHORE EAGLES.
Bold M~arauders. savage Fighters and
Birds OF NOndrOus Flight.

THE eagles Of the Maryland coast, (" said
a native of the Eastern Shore. while not
so numerous as they once were, are as
fierce and bold and aggressive as in the
days when the farmers along the shore
and upon the S~usquehanna and Bay islands
were compelled TO employ shepherds 10
watch their focks Of sheep and protect
them against the raids Of these great winged
~inarauders.
THE farmers would be compelled to do
the same to-day If they were sheep growers
still, which they are not, not a few Of them
having abandoned that branch of farming,
in fact, because of the trouble and ex-
pense of guarding their focks against
eagles. This was particularly the case in
the spring, when the lambs were an impor-
tant part Of the fiocks.
In spite Of the shepherds even there
we're eagles bold and active and alert enough
to swoop down. seize and carry OF many
lambs. sometimes dropping upon one so
close TO a shepherd that he could feel
the vino from the broad wings of the bird
as II rose with its prey.
The f%erCeness of the eagles and the
~tenacity and power OF the clutch they can
put into their immense talons are well
illustrated by fight between two big fellows
that Capt. Gallup Of Havre de Grace saw
one day. Capt. Gallup, for more than "
generations a close observer Of the manner
and customs Of the predatory birds of the
coast says hat the Eastern Shore eagles
can fly faster, soar higher, remain in their
lofty flight longer and descend from II to
the earth with moro velocity than any
other created thing with wings.
This battle that he saw was between the
two eagles in the air at an elevation Of 500
feet. A long time the big, fierce birds
fought with beak and talon and wing. rush
ing upon one another, delivering their blows
and retreating for advantage in a new
attack.
Then at last they clinched and fought
at close quarters. In that position they
came plunging to the earth, but neither
made any effort to stay the fall. so ftercely
intent were they upon their savage battle.
They struck together in the freshly turned
furrow of a %ploughed field, and the impact
failed TO separate them or cause an instant's
delay in the fight.
1T was continued with increased fury
on the ground. and the coming upon the
scene Of a man with a club, with which
he az once took p lrt in the battle, did not
distract their attention from one another
and the man killed them both. Their
tslons were buried 40 deeply In each other
that TO separate the two eagles It was neces-
sary To cut of their legs.
a spread Of wing OF more h seven
feet Is by no means uncommon with these
eagles. Ospreys are also numerous along
the coast, and it Is a familiar sight TO see
one on its wav home with some big fish
IL has snatched from the shoal waters of
the bay or mons the Susquehanna islands,
wa ylaid by some overpowering freebooter
Of an eagle that has been on the watch
for a chance, and robbed Of his prize.
Frequently an eagle will try his own
skill al fishing and pounce down on the
carp hat root on the bottom Of the shoal
water. These fish are sometimes 40 large
that the eagle is unable TO lift them from
the water, but the bird is 10 obstinate that
il will not release its hold, even when the
fish carries il out into the deep, rough
waters Of the bay.
Eagles have been known 10 be drowned
In thai way by carp they have set their
stubborn talons into and either refuse or
are unable to free them again.