Abstract

WHEN in June, 1782, the Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) was chosen for our national emblem, the bird was fairly common throughout most of the United States where conditions were suitable. Since then it has been exterminated over most of its original range and is found today only where law or seclusion give it protection. It has been my fortune to observe the Eagle in one of these remaining strongholds and to study its food habits at two nests. One of these nests which it was possible to examine carefully yielded much interesting information about the food and habits of the Eagle in this type of environment. The location of the nests was the Eastern Shore of Maryland, which with two counties of Virginia and the state of Delaware, constitutes the peninsula of land which cuts Chesapeake Bay off from the Atlantic Ocean. The land in the area where the nests were located is very low and much of it consists of marsh and swamp land. It is drained by Blackwater River, a sluggish stream, fresh at its head but brackish and nearly salt at its mouth. The river flows through the great Blackwater Marshes which are dotted with ponds and small pine-clad elevations known as islands. Along the borders of the marsh are growths of trees which in some places extend back for several miles. These areas are flooded at every heavy rain and during the winter months, and are known as swamps. The chief trees in these swamps are loblolly pine, sweet gum, holly, and white and willow oaks. The one in which the first Eagles' nest was located is known as Gum Swamp. The Blackwater marshes are famous for their muskrat population and for the great number of water-fowl that winter in the ponds and on the river. The river also has an abundance of fish. The old Eagles evidently had an eye on these bounties of nature when they established their lofty eyrie at the edge of the marsh so long ago. The nest was located some two hundred yards from the open marsh and less than a mile from Blackwater River. It was about seven miles to the waters of Chesapeake Bay and less than three quarters of a mile to the nearest house. The original nest had been located for no one knows how long in a big pine far back in the swamp. Some thirty years ago the tree was cut and the Eagles then moved to the giant pine near the edge of the marsh. Here for over thirty years their nest was located until the hurricane of August 22, 1933, came sweeping across the marsh and tore the great nest from its place. The nest was not in use when destroyed, in fact no attempt had been made to rear a brood there for three years. A local egg collector had paid it yearly visits until the Eagles ceased to breed there. They still

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