Library officials reported the bird missing from its display case March 23, but believe the theft could have happened earlier, as the library has been closed for several months for renovations, according to the March 26 St. Johnsbury Caledonian-Record. The bird was part of a collection of mounted and stuffed animals donated to the library in the 1920s.
Police Chief J. Paul Duquette credited publicity about the theft of the protected bird—which is a federal crime—with facilitating its return. As the anonymous garbage collector emptied bins in the alley behind the library, Duquette said, something snagged his glove. When he looked in the bag, he saw it was the talon of the missing eagle that had been in the news, and immediately turned it in to police.
Posted April 1, 2005.