The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1906-11-13
THE BIRD OF FREEDOM.
Mode of Life of the Famous Bald
Headed Eagle.


Eagles are popularity supposed to be
quite different from hawks; but, in a
word, they are nothing more than large
hawks. They reach sometimes the age
Of nearly 100 years. They live singly
or in pairs and dwell in the wilder
places in all kinds of country, from
tropical deserts to the arctic regions.
In their search for food, however, they
often wander far and. emboIdened by
hunger, even approach the abodes of
man. In story books and newspapers
eagles have many times been accused
of carrying off young children, but
such tales are unreliable
The bald eagle, white headed eagle,
white headed sea eagle or bird Of
Washington Is of particular interest
to Americans as the national emblem
of the United States, to which dignity
it was elevated on June 90, 1882. The
name BALD eagle originated from the
white head and the erroneous impress
sion of badness it gives at distance.
This bird measures about three or
three and a half feet in length, from
six to eight feet in extent Of wings
and weighs from six to twelve pounds.
Under most circumstances wary and
difficult of approach, this eagle never
theless is often surprisingly tame and
| unsuspicious. Unprovoked 1t rarely
attacks man. although such instances
have been reported 1t prefers trees
for watching and roosting, but in
spring sometimes descends to ride the
cakes of ice in the river, apparently
looking for fish.
! This species breeds throughout its
range wherever suitable places exist,
and il has been known to lay and hatch
eggs in confinement. In the southern
cart of the United States. from Florida
| to Texas, it breeds very early, deposit
ing its eggs usually during the first
half of December: in the middle states
and in California it lays in February or
March. about the middle Of April in
southern Alaska. sometimes in May or
even June in the arctic regions.
The nest is located nearly always in
the vicinity Of a stream or body of wa
ter. The favorite site is the top of d
tall tree. Where there are no trees
rock or a niche in cliff serves the
purpose.
The same nest is occupied year after
year and annually repaired or aug
mented until it becomes an immense
structure five, six or even eight feet
! high and as much in diameter, contain
ing fully carload or two of material.
1t usually forms strong platform
with only a slight depression in the
center and easily sustains the weight
of man.
Ducks of various kinds fall regularly
a prey to the bald eagle, and they are
stolen from unwary sportsmen just as
readily as larger birds. Wounded
ducks, with those purloined from hunt
ers, form at some seasons good
share of its food At favorable oppor-
tunities this eagle preys upon fawns
and, pressed by hunger, will sometimes
attack a full grown deer, particularly
IL the latter be wounded.
In most of the states of the Union
and in many Of the Canadian provinces
the bald EAGLE is protected by law. Ell
Their specifically or by general enact
ment, but in few it Is still specially
exempted from the provisions of the
general nongame protection acts.-Bul-
letin by the United States Biological
Survey.