NATURAL HISTORY. 22] 



Truth, which itself is liarht, does darkness shun, 

 And the true eaglet safely dares the sun." DRYDEN. 



600. Why is the sarcoramphus, or king vulture, so called? 



From the circumstance frequently observed by naturalists, that 

 all other species of vultures defer to it, giving it the preference ; and, 

 in the case where a number of them have alighted upon a carcase, 

 standing quietly by until "his majesty" has gorged himself. 



6G1. This is particularly related by Mr. Edwards in his " Voyage up the 

 Amazon." That traveller accounts for the fact by stating that the king vulture is 

 greatly superior to every other species, both in strength and courage. It has a less 

 repulsive appearance, and when caught has. been tamed and domesticated. 



662. Why is the eagle denominated the king of birds ? 



Because it not only possesses great size, strength, and courage, but 

 is in the habit of soaring to a great height in the sky ; and of 

 frequenting localities which have a great deal of wild grandeur and 

 sublimity about them. 



663. // hy have flying eagles little power of attacking prey that 



lie immediately under them ? 



Because the eagle cannot drop perpendicularly upon its prey, but 

 always does so in an oblique curve, by means of which it both 

 delivers its whole impetus upon the prey, and prevents unpleasant 

 collision with the ground. 



664. The following description of the white-headed eagle is given by Audubon, 

 the celebrated naturalist " The eagle is seen perched, in an erect attitude, on the 

 highest summit of the tallest tree, by the margin of the broad stream ; his 

 glistening but stern eye looks over the vast expanse. He listens attentively to every 

 sound that comes to his quick ear from afar, glancing now and then on the earth 

 beneath, lest even the light tread of the fawn should pass unheard; his mate is 

 perched on the opposite side, and should all be tranquil and silent, warns him by 

 a cry to continue 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 

 Dot unlike the laugh of a maniac. The next moment he resumes his erect 

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

 widgeon, the mallard, and others, are seen passing with great rapidity, and following 

 the course of the current; but the eagle heeds them not; they are at that tune 

 beneath his notice. The next moment, however, the wild, trumpet-like sound of a 

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

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



