Anne Barrett, age 11, of Williamson., N. Y., for her question:

What are the eggs and nest of the American eagle like?

In 1782, this magnificent bind was made the national emblem of America by act of Congress. Not only is he a big beautiful bird, but he and his wife set a splendid example as parents. Mr. America is indeed an ideal husband and father and Mrs. America is an ideal wife and mother. The young couple mate when they become adults, which is when they are about three years old. 'they stay together for the rest of their lives, perhaps 30 years, bringing up one brood of eaglets after another.

First the young couple select the right neighborhood for their home. It may be on a high cliff, but more likely it will be in a wooded or forested region. It will certainly be near the water, near the ocean or inland streams and lakes. For Mr. America and his family are mighty fond of fish. The nest is called an aerie and it will be 30 to 60 feet above the ground. From this tall perch, the royal family can look out across their wide domain. It is said that these sharp‑eyed birds can spot a possible dinner from a distance of three miles.

The aerie will be; built high in a lofty tree, often a pine tree, or on a craggy cliff. It will be made of branches and twigs gathered by the young couple with loving care. It must be a sturdy platform, because the two great eagles may weigh 13 pounds apiece. Mrs. America is somewhat larger than her husband and usually more fierce. She may stand three feet tall and, when in flight, have a wingspread of mare than seven feet.

When the bulk of the aerie is built, the fond parents gather leaves, mosses, grasses and other materials to make a soft bedding for the eggs and the baby eaglets. The mother bird lays two or three large, snow white eggs. Each is almost three inches long and more than three inches wide ‑which makes them a good deal larger than chickens? eggs. She broods on them, covering them with her warm feathers for 35 days. During all this time, Mr. America fees her and stands guard. ‑‑

At last the young eaglets hatch. At first they are snow white balls of downy feathers with nothing but food on their minds. The parents spend all their time hunting and bringing home tender morsels for their precious darlings. In a few weeks, the young eaglets are dressed in brown feathers. They will not leave the nest until they are about ten weeks ;old and they will keep their dark brown feathers until they are about three years old. Then they will get the gloaming white cap and white tail feathers of the adult American eagle.

The parents will return to the same aerie, year after year, and each year they will repair and add to it. In time, the bulky nest may weigh a ton. It may kill the tree in which it rests and once in a while a big old aerie will bring a tall tree toppling down.