122 THE EAGLE. 



all others amongst their own renowned warriors and 

 chieftains, namely, unwearied perseverance, activity, 

 watchfulness, undaunted courage, and, lastly, patience 

 in suffering privations. There is something, too, in his 

 appearance which strikes the untutored minds of these 

 savages as denoting superiority over all other birds ; his 

 look and movements so dignified, and his rapid and 

 downward flight attended with a sound which is heard 

 at a considerable distance, and is a signal to all other 

 birds to disappear from his presence ; or, when floating 

 magnificently above on his motionless expanded wings, 

 they listen to the rattling of his pinions as he now and 

 then shakes his quills with a noise which has been com- 

 pared, by those who have heard it, to the fluttering or 

 rustling of a silken flag in a gale of wind ; accordingly, 

 to his very feathers they attach a respect amounting al- 

 most to religious veneration. 



There is an instrument called the Calumet, or pipe of 

 peace, which is used in their most solemn meetings, when 

 they hold councils respecting peace or war; and when 

 offered and accepted by contending parties, has the 

 effect of the most solemn treaties and oaths of Christian 

 people. This instrument is, in a part of America called 

 Louisiana, ornamented with the feathers of a particu- 

 larly beautiful and rare species of White Eagle, called 

 the Conciliating Eagle*. In another part of America, 

 called California, and indeed amongst many other tribes 

 of that vast continent, the Indians, when in their full 

 dress, wear an Eagle's feather fastened to the top of 

 their heads as a mark of nobility; and singularly enough 

 a similar custom prevailed, and, on occasions of cere- 

 mony, still prevails, amongst the Highland chiefs of 

 Scotland, handed down from time immemorial. The 

 plume of the Erne, or great Sea Eaglet, being the dis- 

 tinguishing mark of the head of a clan, and even of the 

 kings of Scotland. Many of our readers will, doubtless, 



* Falco cbnciliator. t Falco albicilla. 



