SECTION I. 

 AIR BIRDS. 



THE Eagle, among birds, sustains the same rank as does the lion 

 among beastsi. Its great strength, rapidity, and elevation of flight, 

 added to its natural ferocity and and voracious disposition, have ob- 

 tained for it the character of* king of birds,' and confer upon it the 

 power of inspiring terror into all its fellows of the air. 



By the Hebrews, the eagle was called nesher, the lacerator ; and 

 as it is eminent for rapacity, and tearing its prey into pieces, the pro- 

 priety of the designation is sufficiently obvious. 



There are several kinds of the eagle, described by naturalists, and 

 it is probable that the Hebrew nesher comprehends more than one 

 of them. The largest and noblest species known, is that called by 

 Bruce * the golden eagle,' and by the Ethiopians, * father long-beard? 



