Fight Between a Ram and an Eagle.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 19 February 1891, Page 3

Fight Between a Ram and an Eagle.

Benjamin Shiffer, a farmer of Tunkhannocx township, Monroe county (U.S. A.), is responsible for an nccouut of a thrilling fight between a Southdown ram and an eagle. Farmer Shiffer was ploughing on hillside when an eagle soaring above his flock of sheep in the valley below attracted his attention. The eagle dropped, and in his sweep attempted to carry off a small lamb from his mother's side. He missed his dutch and knocked the ewe down in his night Before he could renew his* attack, and while on the ground, the Southdown ram lowered his head, butted the bird in the breast and knocked it over. Before the ram could follow up his advantage, however, the savage bird had fastened its talons in his back, bleating wildly, he endeavoured to shake the royal bird off. After he had been severely beaten with the birds wings, he managed to free himself. The eagle now tried once more to capture the lamb, and did fasten its talons in its back in spite of the mothers frantic attempts to protect her offspring. At this point the plucky old ram renewed tbe fight. He butted the bird several times, and finally got a good one home under the eagle's wings, which kept him on the ground. The eagle released the lamb and sailed into the ram again. The farmer arrived on the scene by this time, armed with a fence rail. He dealt the eagle a blow on the neck, breaking it and settling 1 the fight. A s soon as the ram was freed from the clutch of the bird's talons he fell to butting the dead enemy. The lamb was dead, and its courageous father had lost considerable wool in the engagement.