28 THE WASHINGTON EAGLE. 



as at a later period of the spring, these birds are occasion 

 ally seen in this vicinity,* rendered perhaps bolder and 

 siore familiar by want, as the prevalence of the ice and 

 ^old, at this season, drives them to the necessity of wander- 

 ing further than usual in search of food. At this early 

 period, Audubon observed indications of the approach of the 

 breeding season. They are sometimes seen contending in 

 the air, so that one of the antagonists will suddenly drop 

 many feet downwards as if wounded or alarmed. My 

 friend. Dr. Hayward of Boston, had in his possession one 

 of these fine docile Eagles for a considerable time; but 

 desirous of devoting it to the then Linnaeum Museum, he 

 attempted to poison it, by corrosive sublimate of mercury; 

 several times, however, doses even of two drams were given 

 to it concealed in fish, without producing any injurious 

 effect on its health. 



"The Washington Eagle, bold and vigorous, disdains 

 the piratical habits of the Bald Eagle, and invariably 

 obtains his own sustenance without molesting the osprey. 

 The circles he describes in his flight are wider than those 

 of the White-headed Eagle ; he also flies nearer to the land 

 or the surface of the water; and when about to dive for his 

 prey, he descends in circuitous, spiral rounds, as if to check 

 the retreat of the fish, on which he darts only when within 

 the difitance of a few yards. When hia prey is obtained 



* Cambridge, Maaa. 



