EAGLE STORIES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1972, 21 November 1889, Page 4

EAGLE STORIES.

A. correspondent at Stratherick sends an eagle 'story, which Eod and Gun gives in own words: "Mr Alexander Whaw, farmer, Oldtown, Stratherick, was going his usual rounds to look after his sheep. While going past a small clump of birch wood, among very long heather, he fancied he heard a peculiar flutter among the bushes; He took little notice,'but, the noiße being repeated , he went to see what was ado. He found two golden eagles fighting, firmly fixed in each other with beak and talons. On his approaching, one of the birds noticed the intrusion, and let go his hold. The other held his opponent fast in his talons. Mr Shaw then got up quite close and got hold of one of them. He put his'foot on the other one's neck. He searched his pockets and feund a' little bit of string, just long enough to tie one of the eagles. While he was tying the one he kept, he let the other one off. The bird was not able to take flight fcr a considerable time after being set at liberty, being much done up with the fight. The other one, which Mr Shaw took home, does not seem to be any the worse. What seems most strange is that eagles are seldom or never seen so low down the country. My belief is that they must havd been' fighting for a loog time in the skies, the one having been pursuing the other till they fixed in each other and dropped."

Another story of the same class is from Mull:—" One day recently Mr M'Morran, farmer, Kilnochspelve, observed a large golden aagle soaring at a considerable height above the farm steading-, which-is at the -foot-of-Craig Ben. After whirling round' for some time it swooped down towards a patch of rough heather a short distance behind the farmhouse, where MiMi'Morran observed a large grey, cat; which began to defend itself bravely! By jumping nimbly aside it eluded the claws of the eagle. With hair and tail erect, it stood facing the eagle, which made three unsuccessful attempts to carry him off. Eventually'the cat got under a large boulder that was near> on which the eagle sat for some time • but, as the cat did not again appeal*, the eagle soared away in search of other and quieter game. A pair of golden eagles hare a nest on Craig Ben, and have bred there for years."