Meet War Eagle IV.
"Just like I, II and III, except more photographed and more pampered" it says here. They apparently weren't used to the term aviary in 1976, preferring to call it a cage. It is no longer in use, but that "cage" was reputedly the second largest open-air aviary in the country at one time.
War Eagle VI, my Tiger, was the last one that lived in there. The aviary was on the site of the new Student Union.
More on VI in a moment, but first we must discuss the War Eagle origin legend. This Glomerata addresses some of the stories, considering them all unlikely. It points to the found war medallion story: "What'd you find E.T.?" And the student, picking up a military insignia replied "I found a War Eagle!" It mentions the tale of the quarterback from the 1920s calling a play, Bald Eagle. Fans, that story goes, thought he yelled War Eagle and took up the cheer.
No one knows the origin of War Eagle, but interestingly the most popular modern legend isn't included in this Glom. This particular tale was created in 1960 with the setting of the first Auburn football game, (Georgia, 1892). A Civil War veteran had a golden eagle with him, and the bird broke away, soaring overhead as the Auburn team rallied late. Fans began to yell "War Eagle" as a cheer. At the end of the game the eagle fell to the earth, dead. Great story. Pure fiction.
Here's VI in 1997.
My grandmother got to meet VI twice. It was a big thrill. (Remember, the 1952 Glomerata would have been her freshman yearbook.)
This is VI's last Iron Bowl. She landed within six feet of me on the field in the most impressive pre-game tradition you'll see anywhere, period, end of story.
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