POLICEMEN OF THE AIR 39 



sentiments so noble and deeply founded that even 

 the wise eagles trust them; the turtle doves alight 

 on their hands ; the night herons roost in low trees 

 in the heart of the towns; the thick-kneed plover 

 plays on the house-tops; the stilt wades in the vil- 

 lage ponds; while the magnificent buff -heron fol- 

 lows the milk-cows home. In fact Cairo was 

 founded because of hospitality extended to birds. 

 The Caliph's general, Abd-Allah-Omdir, once re- 

 fused to allow his tent to be struck because a turtle 

 dove had built its nest upon it, and the young doves 

 were still unfledged when the General desired to 

 march. 



The golden eagle is a veteran policeman. His 

 sturdy build, his powerful weapons, marvellous 

 eyes, air-ship wings, and his home among the clouds 

 make him indeed the lion of the bird-kingdom ! He 

 is the king of the air, although he is by no means 

 the largest among the eagle family, as several kinds 

 of sea eagles are a size larger. The golden eagle is 

 at home in all parts of America, throughout Eu- 

 rope, and in Asia. He is strictly a lover of the 

 mountains, and is found among the highest passes 

 and cliffs. In Switzerland he is found only in the 

 Alps. In speaking of this mountain king, Tenny- 

 son says: 



