The GOLDEN EAGLE epitomizes all the rugged virtues man has admired since the dawn of history. At rest or awing he conveys a sense of power and dignity in the contour of his muscular body which fully entitles him to the kingly throne. There are few more inspiring sights than to see one sweeping upward in majestic circles until he disappears. Altho lost to human eyes, the earth is still under his scrutiny and perhaps while we watch the sky where he vanished, a dark dot may take form which increases with astonishing swiftness as the bird shoots toward some quarry he has discerned from that lofty conning tower.
They are so rare in the East that a glimpse of one is more than a red letter day. I have seen but three in fifty years! Last spring (1930) my friend Ed Chase watched one attempting to catch a Black Duck that was raising a family on the Preston Mountain pond about a mile south of my home here in Dutchess county, N. Y. The Duck lost some valuable time hurrying the youngsters into hiding and the Eagle almost caught it on the first surprise swoop. All birds sense the importance of keeping above a winged enemy and the near victim started one of those perpendicular climbs that the species executes so notably. The Eagle tried to follow but the Duck was too fast and both disappeared behind the hill. Fifteen minutes later the victorious parent slid around the other side of the hill and returned to the youngsters who voiced their relief in tiny quacks of approval. In unsettled parts of the country they are an important check on injurious rodents, particularly, prairie dogs. They do not hesitate to attack animals larger than themselves and their principal food is small mammals.
North America. Rare east of the Mississippi and in southern part of its range.