Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1912-05-23
Giving The EagIst His Supper.

ne naturalist win a camera IS making
some very remarkable additions TO our
knowledge OF animal life One such,
writes Mir. n. B. MACPHERSON, has made
special study of "The Home Life OF a
Golden Eagle" and his book gives some
wonderfully interesting pictures, both
with pen and camera. of what goes on in
the aerie. Thus he describes the feed
ing OF the single eaglet:
With rush of wings she came again,
and this time deposited grouse ready
plucked on the ledge. II was now three
O'Clock in the afternoon, and the eaglet
was hungry, but she evidently considered
that it was too early for supper, and again
departed In less than five minutes the
cock dropped in with another grouse, also
plucked clean OF feathers and headleSs,
and as soon as he had departed, the hen
returned with third and as quickly van
iShed.
This store of food had evidently been
accumulated by them somewhere outside
the aene, and subsequently discovered
several places among the rocks where
game had been plucked, for no bird is
ever brought TO the youEg without being
stripped OF its feathers. As we shall see
later, hares are sometimes brought un-
plucked at another stage, but while the
eaglets are in the first down, both hares
and rabbits are stripped of fur, but not
skinned, before being brought 10 the
aerie. Other places were found later
where the refuse from the nest was de-
posted, for during the first two months
the aerie was kept remarkably clean.
The eaglet was now very much excited,
and would not settle down again TO sleep,
searching the sky for his parents, his eyes
rolling with anticipation of the coming
feast. AT quarter of four the cock ap-
peared with a fourth grouse, and turned
sidewise upon the ledge, standing upon
the prey with both feet. Suddenly, with
a terrific blow OF his powerful claw, he
ripped the bird open from breast TO tail,
and then again took his departure.
In a few minutes the female returned
TO the aerie, and picked out the grouse
which the cock had prepared, choosing
it carefully from among the other carcass
eS. Seizing it in one foot, she shuffled
forward toward the eaglet, and placed
the prey in front OF the expectant young
Ster with its legs sticking up into the air.
The young one was now expecting TO be
fed, but the mother suddenly changed her
mind and flew away once more.
In the evening, about six o'clock, the
female eagle returned once more to feed
her young, and secured picture OF her
in a characteristic attitude. The light
was now falling, and dark clouds rolled
up from the west, putting an end TO all
possibility OF instantaneous work. The
scene which followed was, however,
well worth a long days patience, for the
eagle picked out the prepared grouse
again and carried il 10 the far side OF the
aerie in her beak. Here, beyond reach
of the young one, she gorged herSelfupon
the entrails, coming forward at intervals
TO the eaglet with a titbit OF liver or other
dainty morsel, which he greedily pecked
from her beak. When she herself was
satisfied, she brought the prey nearer,
and proceeded TO gorge the youngster I'LL
he settled down contented in the nest.
She then seized the remains Of the car
cass in her beak, and bore it away out OF
my sight.