141 



owner, who, after having it about a mouth, ventured 

 to give it liberty, — a privilege which was not abused, 

 as it came to the lure whenever called. It not only 

 permits itself to be handled in any way, but seems to 

 derive pleasure from the application of the hand to 

 the legs and plumage. This Eagle was hooded after 

 the manner of the hunting hawks for some time, but 

 the practice was abandoned ; and although it may yet 

 be requisite, if the bird be trained for the chase, hood- 

 ing is otherwise unnecessary, as it remains quiet and 

 contented for any length of time, and no matter how 

 far carried on its master's arm. When this eagle is at 

 large, my friend has only to hold out his arm towards 

 it, which, as soon as perceived even from a distance, it 

 flies to and perches on." 



Another interesting account we get from The 

 Animal Ki7igdo7ii : — 



" This bird appeared so redoubtable to the ancient 

 poets, from his bold glance, proud air, the elevation of 

 his flight, and the strength of his limbs, that they 

 consecrated him to Jupiter, and deposited the thunder- 

 bolts in his talons. He was termed the celestial bird, 

 and the augurs esteemed him as the messenger of the 

 gods. The Persians and the Romans adopted the 

 eagle as their standard of war. Modern potentates 

 have followed their example, and we have ourselves 

 beheld the greater part of Europe tremble at the 

 elevation of this imperial standard. The bird has also 

 been considered the emblem of genius. 



Notwithstanding the want of docility in the great 

 eagle, it appears that he was formerly employed in the 

 east for the purposes of hunting. But he was found 

 unfitted for falconry, both by reason of his great 

 weight and his capricious and irritable temper. Some 

 people of the north however still train this bird for 

 the chase. The Kirguis, whose country is situated 

 eastward of the Caspian, judge by certain marks of the 



