A forest ranger found a man sitting at a campfire, and eating a bald eagle. The man was put in jail for the crime. On the day of his trail, the conversation went something like this:

JUDGE: "Do you know that eating a bald eagle is a federal offense?"

MAN: "Yes, but when you hear my story you will see that I am inocent."

JUDGE: "Proceed."

MAN: "I got lost in the woods. I didn't have anything to eat for two weeks. I was so hungry. I saw a bald eagle swoop down at the lake. The eagle caught a fish, and flew off with it. I followed the eagle, and I saw it land on a tree stump to eat the fish. I threw a stone toward the eagle hoping he would drop the fish and fly away. Unfortunately, in my weakened condition, my aim was off. The stone hit the eagle on the head. The eagle died. I thought long and hard about what had happened. I figured that I might as well eat it since it would be more disgraceful to let it rot on the ground."

JUDGE: "The court will take a recess while we analyze your testimony."

After 15 minutes the judge returned.

JUDGE: "Due to the extreme circumstance you were under, and because you didn't intend to kill the eagle, the court will dismiss the charges."

The Judge then leaned over the bench and whispered: "If you don't mind my asking, what does a bald eagle taste like?"

MAN: "Well your honor, it is hard to explain. The best I can describe it is somewhere between a California Condor and a Spotted Owl."