Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-07-25
This and That
By Charles Z. Trace,pel
"OXON HILL, Md.

"OXON HILL, Md.
Dear Sir:
Have eagles ever been known to inhabt
this area?
THE other evening. about 7:30 o'clock,
was outdoors with my two dogs.
"As I scanned the lovely woodland Just
behind our six-acre place here, noticed
two very large birds flying from a S-SW
direction.
When first sighted, thought they must
be turkey buzzards flying low. but in a Sec
ond noticed the flight Of these two birds
was quite different from the rather leisurely
wing movement Of the buzzard.
These were flying fast, with a powerful
sweeping movement. I soon recognized
hawklike appearance to the flight as we'll
as to the bird. They came on without any
deviation from their course and passed di-
rectly over my house.
1.-The first bird was. flying bit lower than
the second one, and as 1t passed over I could
easily see its white head with hawklike
beak. do not believe that this bird was
flying any higher than 100 feet. I could
easily see some separation of the wing tip
feathers and even its feet up against the
big body.
1T was huge bird with a powerful and
speedy flight. I was so carefully watching
the first bird that I did not so carefully
inspect the second one-but it was obvious
they were the same species and travelling to-
gether-the fight was identical, and
watched them until they disappeared.
Our house Is on hill. with an elevation
Of 1876 feet, which I understand is high
for the Washington area. Because of the
height Of our situation was able to observe
these birds for some time, as they flew
toward me and as they flew away.
"One old resident Of this area tells me
that he has frequently seen eagles. and told
me-without prompting by me-that they
always came over from S-SW direction.
He also said the ones he had seen appeared
from 7:30 to 8 pm, and always two flying
together.
Most persons react to my telling of see
ing two eagles with such remarks as You
probably had two cocktails too manyn
Il would like to know If eagles have been
frequently observed in this area and also
what the explanation of their trips, coming
from to SW to NINE would be-
Sincerely, D. w. F."
There are plenty Of bald eagles around
Oxon Hill Alexandria and along the Poto-
mac.
This majestic bird frequents the shores of
lakes and rivers.
He eats mostly fish. and so puts his nest
not too far away from the source.
His famous soaring Is done for the purpose
Of spotting his food. most of which is dead
fish, he can see at least three miles.
Once he spots his food, he flies directly to-
ward it.
He is not exactly scavenger. and some
times fishes for food himself but not if he
can find 1t as outlined. nor If he can make
some other fisher bird drop what it has
caught.
II pressed. he will even eat carrion along
with crows and buzzards. but prefers not to-
and then will take to squirrels, snakes and
rabbits. and even mice.
Occasionally lamb or hen is caught, but
not very often.
People living near Alexandria called some
months back to tell of a pet cat suddenly
lifted from the ground after dark. It dis
appeared with a scream, but whether the
sound came from the cat or the animal
which caught it-probably bobcat-was
hard to say. 1t was too late for an eagle.
L The male eagle calls cac-cac-cac. The
females cry is harsh and broken, and has
been compared with "the loud laugh Of a
maniac" There is also a screaming note.
The nest is bulky usually placed in trees.
or cliff. The same pair. mated for life
and very fond Of each other. apparently
use the same nest year after year. One
brood is raised each season, with 80 days
for incubation. The young require three
years for maturity; the young are larger
than the parents, and are black. with no
white head. The wing spread is foot longer
than that of the parents.
Our guess is that the two eagles instanced
were flying back to their nest.
Usually two eggs. sometimes three are
laid.