Presently a loud screech rent the air, and a large eagle swooped
swiftly above us, carrying in its talons a rabbit or other small
animal. Flying in gradually narrowing circles, the bird at last
alighted among some rocks on the opposite side of the valley.
We ran as speedily as we could to where the eagle had dropped. To
our disappointment, however, the bird took wing and hovered high in
the air, but without its victim.
Continuing our way in search of the rabbit we saw a very curious
sight. In the midst of a number of loose stones someone had set a
trap, but had evidently neglected it. This neglect would have been
hard on any animals that might have been taken, as their probable
fate would be death by starvation. But what was probable did not
happen in this case. When we reached the trap we found in it a fine
golden eagle, alive and in splendid condition. Around him lay the
remains--the well-picked bones--of some twenty rabbits and as many
grouse which his mate had brought, and so saved him from a
lingering death.
The captive eagle, with its great beak dripping with the rabbit's
blood, flashed its bright round eyes and ruffled its feathers as
Jerry picked up a large stone and prepared to dash it at the bird's
head. Quick as might be, I arrested his uplifted arm.
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