io8 THE EAGLE. 



at one end. When this has been arranged, a piece of carrion 

 is thrown into the enclosure, which the Eagle in his range 

 finds out and devours. Having eaten voraciously, it becomes 

 stupefied, and unwilling or unable to fly at once upwards, and 

 consequently walks slowly and leisurely out at the opening 

 left for it ; and the cord with its noose, being fitly contrived 

 and well placed for the purpose, catches hold of and strangles 

 it, 



In North America they are much sought after and prized 

 by the Indians, who are constantly on the look-out for them. 

 Sometimes a hole is dug and slightly covered, and there, in a 

 manner buried, a hunter will patiently watch, day after day, 

 with a bird in his hand, to entice an Eagle within reach. At 

 other times a deer is killed, and a covert made near it, where 

 equal patience is displayed, till a successful , shot secures the 

 prize ; and a prize indeed he is to these Indians, who hold him 

 in such veneration, from the qualities they esteem above all 

 others amongst their own renowned warriors and chieftains, 

 namely, unwearied perseverance, activity, watchfulness, un- 

 daunted 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 magni- 

 ficently 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 compared, 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 almost 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 



