BALD EAGLE. 



147 



costia Rivers, or perched upon the branches of dead 

 trees overhanging- their banks. Its migrations corre- 

 spond to some extent with those of the fish upon 

 which it feeds, and it consequently appears in spring 

 about the time the fishing season begins." (Avifauna 

 Columbiana.) 



The note of the Fish Hawk is said to be a high, 

 rapidly repeated, plaintive whistle. 



Bald Eagle: LLaliceettLS lencocephaliLS. 



Length about 3 feet. 



Adults, head, neck and tail white; rest of the plumage 

 dark brown. Bill and feet yellow. 



The plumage of the first-year birds is a uniform dark 

 brown, almost black, with no white perceptible, while that 

 of the second-year birds is a lighter color and begins to 

 show white on head and tail. 



Resident (not common) all the year. 



Our national bird very appropriately makes his 

 home at Mount Vernon, where one pair have lived 

 for many years. He is also found at Great Falls, and 

 in both localities may be seen soaring high over the 

 Potomac with characteristic dignity and grace. He 

 lives almost entirely on fish, and, it is said, often makes 

 the Fish Hawk give up his prey. 



The nest is generally in the top of a tall tree and is 

 very large — a platform of sticks, often six feet across 

 and three or four feet in depth; it is lined with coarse 

 marsh grass. Two large white eggs are laid. 



