WHITE-HEADED EAGLE. 41 



vomiting power, as the bird constantly swallows large quantities of in- 

 digestible substances, such as quills, hairs, &c. In this sac of the Eagle 

 I found the quill feathers of the small white gull ; and in the true 

 stomach, the tail and some of the breast feathers of the same bird ; and 

 the dorsal vertebrae of a large fish. This excited some surprise, until 

 you made me acquainted with the fact of its watching the Fish-hawks, 

 and robbing them of their prey. Tlius we see, throughout the whole 

 empire of animal life, power is almost always in a state of hostility to 

 justice, and of the Deity only can it truly be said, that justice is com- 

 mensurate with fower ! 



" The Eagle has the several auxiliaries to digestion and assinailation in 

 common with man. The liver was unusually large in your specimen. 

 It secretes bile, which stimulates the intestines, prepares the chyle for 

 blood, and by this very secretion of bile (as it is a deeply respiring ani 

 nial), separates or removes some obnoxious principles from the blood. 

 (See Dr. Rush's admirable lecture on this important viscus in the human 

 subject.) The intestines were also large, long, convolute, and supplied 

 with numerous lacteal vessels, which differ little from those of men, ex- 

 cept in color, which was transparent. The kidneys were large, and 

 seated on each side the vertebrae, near the anus. They are also destined 

 to secrete some oiFensive principles from the blood. 



" The eggs were small and numerous ; and after a careful examination, 

 I concluded that no sensible increase takes place in them till the par- 

 ticular season. This may account for the unusual excitement which 

 prevails in these birds in the sexual intercourse. Why there are so many 

 eggs is a mystery. It is perhaps consistent with natural law, that evei-y- 

 thing should be abundant ; but from this bird, it is said, no more than 

 two young are hatched in a season, consequently no more eggs are 

 wanted than a suiBciency to produce that effect. Are the eggs num- 

 bered originally, and is there no increase of number, but a gradual loss, 

 till all are deposited ? If so, the number may correspond to the long 

 life and vigorous health of this noble bird. Why there is but two young 

 in a season, is easily explained. Nature has been studiously parsimoni- 

 ous of her physical strength, from whence the tribes of animals incapa- 

 ble to resist, derive security and confidence." 



The Eagle is said to live to a great age, sixty, eighty, and as some 

 assert, one hundred years. This circumstance is remarkable, when we 

 consider the seeming intemperate habits of the bird. Sometimes fasting 

 through necessity,, for several days, and at other times gorging itself 

 with animal food, till its craw swells out«the plumage of that part, form- 

 ing a large protuberance on the breast. This, however, is its natural 

 food, and for these habits its whole organization is particularly adapted. 

 It has not, like men, invented rich wines, ardent spirits, and a thousand 

 artificial poisons, in the form of soups, sauces, and sweetmeats. Its food 



