At the Water’s Edge 
famous, suggests the annoyance incident to over- 
sensitive sensibilities. 
we 
Not a water fowl, but commonly found near 
the coast, or on the shore of our larger lakes 
and streams, is the bald eagle. There is no 
other creature that awakens just the sentiment 
that is aroused by this, our grandest bird of 
prey. This class of birds, in every aspect of 
their life, is isolated from all others. From 
their personality, habits, and habitat, they ap- 
peal to a certain poetic feeling which, with- 
out gauging its comparative excellence, is re- 
markably distinct from that inspired by any 
other class of animals. Setting aside the owls 
—nocturnal birds of prey—which are half un- 
canny, half ridiculous, the very names of eagle, 
vulture, condor, hawk, and kite, excite a feel- 
ing that is curiously compounded of immense 
admiration and deep contempt. They are like 
some monstrous and destructive energy in nat- 
ure, from which we instinctively recoil, but to 
which, at the same time, we are instinctively 
drawn ; as incapable of being loved as icebergs, 
storms, or volcanoes; but with an aspect of sub- 
limity, in varying degree, quite unapproachable 
195 
