POLICEMEN OF THE AIR 37 



world where the earth, the air, and the water all 

 have their special guardians. Though we seldom 

 realise it, these police systems are invaluable to 

 mankind. The woodpeckers, famed for their chisel- 

 like beaks, are able to dig into the bark and wood 

 of trees and perform untold service for man by de- 

 stroying the hidden larvae that kill the forest trees. 



The eagle gives us a splendid example of 

 strength and nobility among policemen of the air. 

 This noble bird is by nature and character sym- 

 bolical of power. The old legends place him by 

 the throne of Jupiter, "holding in his talons the 

 thunderbolts which the Deity was supposed to rain 

 down upon this hapless earth of ours: the allegory 

 is apt, for the eagle, himself a mighty king, dashes 

 upon his prey, like a flash of lightning, with resist- 

 less power." He is indeed the terror of the air: 

 his proudly erect body, the ruffled lance-like feather- 

 ing of the head, the piercing eyes, the scissor-like 

 beak, and the stiff, pendant tail serve to impress 

 us with his power and nobility. He is ruler of the 

 day I And king of the air! 



There are many varieties of eagles, and one of 

 the most powerful, the bateleur eagle of Africa, is 

 called by the natives the "Ape of Heaven." Its 

 flight can be at once distinguished from that of 

 any other bird. At one instant it darts off like a 



