THE BALD, OR WHITE-HEADED EAGLE. 



41 



William, near Belfast, through the United States, in 1836, he, in the middle of January, observed 

 a pair of these birds flying about a nest in the top of a gigantic pitch pine, which stood a little 

 remote from other trees, on the bank of the Fish River, Mobile Bay. On the 6th of February 

 he returned to the place, in the hope of procuring a young bird alive. The nest being inacces- 

 sible, the tree was cut down, and with it one young bird (unfortunately killed by the fall) 

 came to the ground. The eaglet was covered with down, interspersed with a few feathers. 

 The nest was rather flat, and composed of sticks ; it contained the heads and bones of mullet, 

 and two heads of the grey pelican. The parent birds were in great consternation during the 

 felling of the pine, and to the last moment continued flying clamorously about the nest. 



BALD, OB WHITE-HEADED EAGLE HalMStuis leucocephalut. 



Mr. Langtrey was told that two or three pair of Bald Eagles build annually about Mobile Bay, 

 and had their nests pointed out to him." 



It is always a very affectionate bird, tends its young as long as they are helpless and Tin- 

 fledged, and will not forsake them, even if the tree on which they rest be enveloped 

 in flames. 



How the Bald Eagle takes advantage of the fishing talents of the osprey has already been 

 duly related. The Eagle is, in truth, no very great fisher, but is very fond of fish, and finds 

 that the easiest mode of obtaining the desired dainty is to rob them who are better qualified 

 than himself for the sport. He is capable of catching fish, it is true, but he does it in a very 

 awkward manner, wading into the shallows like a heron, and snatching suddenly at any of 

 the finny tribe that may be passing in his direction. This predatory propensity aroused the 

 wrath of Benjamin Franklin, who objected strongly to the employment of the Bald Eagle 



VOL. II, - 



