BIRDMEN & EAGLES

Hokitika Guardian, 24 March 1928, Page 4

BIRDMEN & EAGLES

(By HARRY HARI’ER.) Stories now confirmed of recent attacks by eagles in the Bernese (Tierland on peasants and forest guards draws attention to thrilling encounters that airmen have been having with eagles flying near mountains. Swooping from rocky eyries behind Athens are huge eagles which seem determined to wage war upon any Hying machine which dares to invade their lofty preserves. Not long ago several attacked a high-flying craft. Quo bird was struck by the prnpollor and kilied and the impact Imd so damaged the ’plane that forced landing was necessary. In another instance, assailed fiercely hv a eagle, a pilot had one of the struts between his wings smashed and Imd to make a vapid and perilous descent. Airmen are being warned of this danger in tlio lnountains. "While it pilot was crossing above the Pyrenees in a flight from Paris to Madrid a very large eagle soared tip and flew round the ’plane as though looking for the vulnerable spot in this strange and noisy intruder. A movement, of the pilot’s head caught the bird's eye. Tt swooned into (battle. The airman had by this time drawn a pistol from a locker in his cockpit, and as the bird darted in he fired at it. lie did not hit the eagle, but lie evidently disconcerted it. for the bird’ .swerved off and dived out of sight. Not always are these lords of the mountains in pugnacious mood. Some when they sight an aeroplane seem merely curious, while one, after flying level with a machine for some time, scrutinising it closely, appeared to the pilot to challenge him to a high-flying contest. Tip at any rate soared the splendid bird, and up. too, soared the airman. Higher and higher they climbed bird and ’plane. But at ldngth the wings of the eagle seemed to flag. Still the gallant bird struggled upward. Before long however, he apparently reached his limit, and ceasing to heat his wings, and holding them outstretched, he glided silently away, leaving that aeroplane monarch of the air.