The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1908-12-23
EAGLE FIGHTS WITH SHARK.
Combat Between One OF the "6aId''
Species and Monster Of the Deep.

A naughty American eagle of the
species known as bald" is the latest
acquisition of the park board of Bal
timOre
This magnificent bird, measuring
more than six feet from wing tip to
wing tip, looks as If he might have
stepped out of our national coat of
arms. But in fact he was pulled out
of the water-a dripping. bedraggled,
humbled monarch of the air. He has
been put on exhibition in the ZoOlogi-
cal garden in Druid Hill park. the
largest park in the Monument city.
The eagles capture was unique. per-
haps, in the history of eagle hunting
for he was taken while in a fierce
wing-tO-fin combat with large shark
in Accohannock Creek, which divides
Accomac and Northampton counties,
Virginia, and Littell G. McClung tells
the story of it's capture in the New
York Herald as follows:
Several days ago, while Capt.
Charles ]. Henderson of the Tangier.
a steamboat. was standing in the pilot
house of his vessel, directing her
course up AccOhannock creek, he sud-
denly saw an eagle swooping through
the air half a mile in front of the
vessel A moment afterward he saw
another eagle-evidently the mate of
the first-circling above, far up in the
clouds.
The first eagle lowered over the
water for a moment. and then plunged
down into the waves like a tern. Al
fish appeared above the surface.
The eagles claws were fixed in its
body, and there was a furious struggle.
Beating his wings, the bird tried to
rise in the air with his prey. but his
efforts were futile Instead of an
ordinary river fish, the eagle had sunk
his talons into shark.
Back under the surface went fish
and bird. But in a moment they reap
peared, the battle churning the wa
ter around them to foam and throwing
spray high into the air. The shark
must have caught the eagle by his
feathers, for over and over they
plunged and rolled. one moment on
the surface and again out of sight.
The crew Of the steamboat crowded
to the forward deck, absorbed in the
fierce battle between the lord Of the
air and the terror of the sea. Not for
second did the struggle slacken. Mean
while the other eagle circled overhead
watching the conflict. Both fighters
seemed oblivious to the approach of
the vessel.
At Capt. HendersOn's orders the
Tangier was steered up against
wharf just below where the eagle
and the shark were struggling. AS
soon as the ropes were thrown out
boat was lowered and manned, and
the crew pulled vigorously for the
scene of the conflict.
were getting the best of it, for he
was dragging the eagle down under
the water. and holding him there for
several seconds at plunge. But
each time the powerful bird, using his
wings as propellers, forced himself to
the surface for breath.
Just as the boat came up the eagle
wrenched locse from the shark, and
struck out for the shore, padding him.
self along with his wings. Once or
twice he tried to rise from the water,
but his feathers were too thoroughly
soaked to be of any use for flying.
When the boat was alongside one of
the men reached out a paddle, and.
laying it across the eagles back,
showed him under the water. Another
reached over and seized his feet and
head Then his captOrs. holding his
wings to his sides to keep him from
struggling, drew him into the boat.
He still showed fight, but he was so
exhausted that his efforts 10 free him
self were ineffective.
His mate came down close. but did
not venture within attacking distance
of the men. Later. giving up her con-
sort as lost, she vanished into the
clouds.
The big eagle was stuffed into