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372 LAND-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS 
fasting, is of the most voracious and often the most indelicate 
kind. Fish, when he can obtain them, are preferred to all 
other fare. Young lambs and pigs are dainty morsels, and 
made free with on all favorable occasions. Ducks, Geese, 
Gulls and other sea fowl, are also seized with avidity. The 
most putrid carrion, when nothing better can be had, is accept- 
able; and the collected groups of gormandizing Vultures, on 
the approach of this dignified personage, instantly disperse, 
and make way for their master, waiting his departure in sullen 
silence, and at a respectful distance, on the adjacent trees.” 
‘The flight of the Bald Eagle, when taken into considera- 
tion with the ardor and energy of his character, is noble and 
interesting. Sometimes the human eye can just discern him, 
like a minute speck, moving in slow curvatures along the face 
of the heavens, as if reconnoitring the earth at that immense dis- 
tance. Sometimes he glides along in a direct horizontal line, 
at a vast height, with expanded and unmoving wings, till he 
gradually disappears in the distant blue ether. Seen gliding in 
easy circles over the high shores and mountainous cliffs that 
tower above the Hudson and Susquehanna, he attracts the eye 
of the intelligent voyager, and adds great interest to the scen- 
ery. At the great cataract of Niagara, already mentioned, 
there rises from the gulf into which the falls of the Horse-shoe 
descends, a stupendous column of smoke, or spray, reaching 
to the heavens, and moving off in large black clouds, accord- 
ing to the direction of the wind, forming a very striking and 
majestic appearance. ‘The Eagles are here seen sailing about, 
sometimes losing themselves in this thick column, and again 
reappearing in another place, with such ease and elegance of 
motion, as renders the whole truly sublime. 
‘High o’er the watery uproar, silent seen, 
‘Sailing sedate in majesty serene, 
“Now midst the sprays sublimely lost, 
* And now, emerging, down the rapids tosé, 
* Glides the Bald Eagle, gazing, calm and slow 
‘*O’er all the horrors of the scene below; 
*Tntent alone to sate himself with blood, 
“From the torn victims of the raging flood.” 
Wilson elsewhere says: ‘*The Eagle is said to live to a 
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