SEA EAGLE. -io 



pollavd oak trees, among wliich, it was afterwards as- 

 certained, he had roosted. Having, at length, impru- 

 dently ventured to make a foray upon a neighbouring 

 farm-yard, and carried off a goose, matters began to 

 assume a serious aspect. A council of war was called : 

 the farmer, the game-keeper, and the rat-catcher met 

 in conclave; an alliance offensive and defensive was 

 formed ; the eagle was denounced ; and all measures, 

 whether of force or stratagem, were declared lawful, 

 to destroy such a marauder; the first subscribed a 

 l)igeon, the second a trap, and the third a rat. Opera- 

 tions were commenced by laying down the pigeon near 

 the supposed retreat of the robber, as if to test his 

 gullibility : this was immediately carried off : the trap 

 was then set on the same spot, baited with the rat, and 

 by means of this ignoble lure was the poor eagle de- 

 luded and captured. 



