The Wrangell sentinel., 1925-02-26
THE AMERICAN EAGLE
By HOMER WORDEN Reprinted from the Stikine
 Messenger


 being the Bald Headed Eagle" This name, however, is misapplied for the head and neck of the adult is covered with pure white feathers The tail is also white, the rest of the body being covered with black ish brown feathers. Our eagles of Alaska are slightly larger than the ones of the Atlantic Coast. The av- craze length is about thirty-four inches The plumage of the young is different from that of the old birds. It takes four years before the head and tail becomes white. The first year they are brownish black, the second they show traces of white. the third a varied color of white with elongate blackish spots and the tail blackish, mottled, and white. Many persons believe these young eagles are of another specie but they can be identified in any pjumage by the shank, which. un- like the Golden Eagle, is unfeath- cred. The unfeathered parts like the feet are covered with a rough, yellow skin.
 A lofty tree is generally the place where the eagle makes its nest, which, in the course of years, becomes of great size, as the bird is in the habit of laying her eggs year after year in the same nest, and each breeding season repairing and making new additions with new building materials. The par ent birds are very faithful to their young, which do not leave the ne5t until late in the summer. When wounded Eagle is cornered he is very vicious and will not hesitate 10 fight, oftentimes showing much outrage These biIds possess won Jertul eyesight and ability to fly Their flight is seemingly without effort. Sometimes they fly in circles climbing all the while until they
 an hardly be distinguished and then glide off in a straight coursc fer miles. apparently w,ith2"t mo ing their wings.
 This is the eagle which was adopted on June 20. 17so ae fh national emblem on the arms If 'he United States. and is figured oi most of our coins thus receiving the name of the "Americcn Eagle" or "Tae Bird of Freedom" The former bounty of soc on eagles was raised at the last session of the Legislature to one dollar and is still paid for every pair of claws sent to Jureau. Since these bou1ties came into effect there have been thousands of eagles killed which has caused the indignation of many - -I e0nfottao fn tho and also among some of our citizens. There are many good arguments both for and against this bounty. The fox farmers say that the eagles destroy their young foxes, others have seen them kill lawn or rob other birds nests. Some say they are a menace to our fsh in- dustry while still others have minor crimes against them. too numerous ta mention.
 Many people state that since this is our national bird it should be protected. The kingfishers, mer- gansers and comorants destroy more fish than does the eagle, yet there is no bounty on them. The salmon canneries waste more salm- on in one season than all the eagles in Alaska could eat in ten years. Any one who has become acquainted with this eagle knows that he has been accused of far more than he deserves.
 My opinion is that such trifling questions as those of eagle bounties should be set aside at the meetings of the Alaska Legislature until something is done about the im- ,, portant ones like those of the seal and trout.