EAGLES. 



opposite bank of the river, and, should all be silent, warns him by a cry to 

 remain patient. At this well-known call, the male partly opens his broad 

 wings, inclines his body a little downwards, and answers to her voice in tones 

 not unlike the laugh of a maniac. The next moment he resumes his erect 

 attitude, and all is again silent. Ducks of many species — the teal, the widgeon, 

 the mallard, and others— are seen passing and following the course of the 



Fig. i6. — The SsA-'EAChE (//a /iaeius albicilla). 



current ; but the eagle heeds them not : they are at this time beneath his 

 attention. The next moment, however, the wild trumpet-like scream of a yet 

 distant but approaching swan is heard. A shriek from the female eagle comes 

 across the stream, for she is fully as alert as her mate. The latter suddenly 

 shakes himself, and with a few touches of his beak arranges his plumage. 

 The snow-white bird is now in sight — her long neck is stretched forward, her 

 eye is on the watch, vigilant as that of her enemy : she approaches, however, 

 and the eagle has marked her for his prey. As the swan is passing the 

 dreaded pair, the male eagle starts from his perch with an awful scream, that 



