84 SALMONIA. 



Poiet. — The scenery improves as we ad- 

 vance nearer the lower parts of the lake. 

 The mountains become higher, and that 

 small island or peninsula presents a bold 

 craggy outline ; and the birch wood below 

 it, and the pines above, make a scene some- 

 what Alpine in character. But what is that 

 large bird soaring above the pointed rock, 

 towards the end of the lake? Surely it 

 is an eagle! 



Hal. — You are right, it is an eagle, and 

 of a rare and peculiar species — the grey or 

 silver eagle, a noble bird ! From the size 

 of the animal, it must be the female; and 

 her aery is in that high rock. I dare say 

 the male is not far off. 



Phys. — I think I see another bird, of a 

 smaller size, perched on the rock below, 

 which is similar in form. 



Hal. — You do : it is the consort of that 

 beautiful and powerful bird ; and I have no 

 doubt their young ones are not far off. 



Poiet. — Look at the bird ! She dashes 

 into the water falling like a rock, and raising 

 a column of spray; she has fallen from a 



