154 BIRDS OF THE WAVE AND WOODLAND 



have seen an eagle, unconscious of observation, at its ease in 

 the air, 



I remember how once in India I enjoyed the splendid 

 sight of an " ossifrage " launching itself from its seat upon a 

 huge dead tree into the valley. Something below had 

 attracted its attention, a kite perhaps, or a crow, flying 

 towards carrion, and the enormous bird came hurtling down 

 with a veritable crash of its wings. And then suddenly it 

 checked itself in its fall, and opening its "broad sails" to 

 the utmost, till each feather stood apart from the other, it 

 silently floated away across the valley. The speed of its 

 flight was prodigious, but it was absolutely noiseless, and the 

 great thing, once launched, never moved a feather, but sped 

 away in a straight level line, as if under the attraction of some 

 invisible, irresistible magnet, to a gorge on the other side, and 

 so disappeared from view. 



It was a most noble and a memorable performance. 

 First the instant of impetuous downward plunge, so headlong 

 that the wind fairly rattled through its plumage ; and then, with 

 such spectral suddenness, the recovery of position, and the im- 

 perial tranquillity of its horizontal flight. When the eagle's 

 wings are fully extended, the tips of the long feathers curve 

 slightly upwards, giving a singular grace to its flight and a 

 very curious impressiveness to the bird's appearance, 



" sailing with supreme dominion 

 Thro' the azure deep of air,'' 



