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Show . .'. " I Eagles Battle With Panther on Mountain As I was passing down a valley in southeastern Washington, writes a currespendent,' I could see upon a miuntu:n side two large "agles swooping swoop-ing at the back of a lar'e tawny panther pan-ther and stabbing him with their sharp talons. At first the big cut tried to outrun the birds, hut they kept right u long with him. 'i-hen he tried walking walk-ing backward a few steps and then ; leaping up at the eagles, but they un-j un-j derstood the trick and dodged him I easily. I Presently one of the eagles lit on the ground and, half-walking, began ! flapping Its wings as if it were hurt. The panther made a dive, but the bird evaded him, and he got another stab j from the eagle in the air. Agnln the i two eagles began their old game of . darting down at his back every little while, and he seemed to realize that the best he could do was to make for shelter among some bushes half a mile away. But before he reached the place he frequently felt the sharp hind 1 claws, which eagles use when fighting large enemies. Had the fight occurred on the open plain, the panther doubtless would not have fared so well. As it was, the eagles had had fine sport at his expense. ex-pense. I think that no unarmed person per-son could fight off a pair of eagles any more than the panther could. How many eagles that panther has devoured, how many kits those eagles have carried to their lofty perches on the mountain tops, we cannot tell. If only half of the feuds and tragedies among the wild animals could be recorded, re-corded, what Interesting stories we Should read ! Some of the battles are fought for mere sport ; some are fought to the death. I have watched deer and antelopes kill rattlesnakes. A deer will walk around the reptile a few times to get It to coll up ; then the animal will step back a few feet and jump upon the coiled-tip snake with all four of its sharp hoofs. Youth's Companion. |