THE GOLDEN EAGLE. 



51 



»nd offals to other animals. Though famished for want of prey, he 

 disdains to feed upon carrion. 



"Like the Lion, also, he is solitary; the inhabitant of a desert, over 

 which he reigns supreme, excluding all the other birds from his silent 

 domain. It is perhaps even more uncommon to see two pairs of 

 Eagles in the same tract of mountain, than two families of Lions in 

 tlie same part of the forest. They separate from each other at such 

 wide intervals, as to afford ample range for subsistence; and esteem 

 •uiic value and extent of their dominion to consist in the abundance 

 of prey with which it is replenished. 



" The eyes of the Eagle have the glare of those of the Lion, and are 

 nearly of the same color ; the claws are of the same shape ; the organs 

 of sound are equally powerful, and the cry equally terrible.^ 

 Destined, both of them, for war and plunder, they are equally fierce, 

 bold, and intractable. Tt is impossible to tame them, unless they be 

 caught when in their infancy. It requires much patience and art to 

 train a young Eagle to the chase ; and after he has attained his propei 

 age and strength, his caprices and momentary impulses of passion, 

 are sufficient to create suspicions and fears in his master. Authors 

 inform us, that the Eagle was anciently used in the East for Falconry ; 

 but this practice is now laid aside. He is too heavy to be carried on 

 the hand : nor is he ever rendered so tame or so gentle, as to remove 

 nil suspicions of danger. His bill and claws are crooked and 

 formidable: his figure corresponds with his instinct: his body is 

 robust ; his legs and wings are strong ; his flesh is hard ; his bones 

 are firm; his feathers stiff; his attitude bold and erect; his move- 

 ments quick ; his flight rapid. He rises higher in the air than any 

 other of the winged race; and hence he was termed by the ancients 

 the Celestial Bird, and was regarded in their mythology as the mes- 

 senger of Jupiter. He can distinguish objects at an immense distance; 

 but his power of smell is inferior to that of the Vulture. By means 

 of his exquisite sight, he pursues his prey; and, when he has seized 

 it he checks his flight, and places it upon the ground to examine its 

 weight, before he carries it oft". Though his wings are vigorous; yet, 

 his legs being stiff", it is with difficulty he can rise, especially if he be 

 loaded. He is able to bear away Geese and Cranes : he also carries 

 off Hares, young Lambs, and Kids. When he attacks Fawns or 

 Calves, he instantly gluts himself with their blood and flesh, and 

 afterwards transports their mangled carcasses to his nest, or aeryT 



Forn)ed for war, these Birds are solitary and unsociable. They are 

 also fie.xe, but not implacable; and, though not easily tamed, are 

 capable of great docility. They will not, however, bear the least 

 iiarsh usage without endevoring to resent it. A gentleman who lived 

 ii; the south of Scotland, had, not many years ago, a tame Eagle. 

 This Bird the keeper one day injudiciously lashed with a horsewhip. 

 About a week afterwards the man chanced to stoop within reach 



* The voice of the Lion and Eagle, notwithstanding this assertion of M. oe Baffoni 

 will not bear comparison. The one is a deep and dreadful bass ; and the other a 

 ipiercing treble, altogether destitute of majesty. 

 4 



