Giant eagles once ruled the skies. They snatched human children, and shaped our evolution

Eagles hunting children may be more than just ancient history. A news report from 19th-Century Tennessee tells of a child carried away by a “great grey eagle” after it swooped down and “fastened its immense talons in the clothing of the little boy”. A servant girl gave chase as the bird flew away. Then, two miles away, the bird put its prey down momentarily. A hunter who was nearby let out “vigorous hallooing”, scaring the bird away. Thankfully, the “fine, healthy, rosy boy” was uninjured.