312 HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA. 



for the Bald Eagle, as well on account of the fish pro- 

 cured there, as for the numerous carcasses of squirrels, 

 deer, bears, and various other animals, that, in their 

 attempts to cross the river above the Falls, have been 

 dragged into the current, and precipitated down that 

 tremendous gulf, where, among the rocks that bound 

 the rapids below, they furnish a rich repast for the 

 vulture, the raven, and the Bald Eagle, the subject of 

 the present account. Formed by nature for braving 

 the severest cold ; feeding equally on the produce of 

 the sea, and of the land ; possessing powers of flight 

 capable of outstripping even the tempests themselves; 

 unawed by any thing but man; and, from the ethereal 

 heights to which it soars, looking abroau at one glance, 

 on an immeasurable expanse of forests, fields, lakes, 

 and ocean, deep below him, he appears indifferent to 

 the little localities of change of seasons ; as in a few 

 minutes he can pass from summer to winter, from the 

 lower to the higher regions of the atmosphere, the 

 abode of eternal cold, and from thence descend, at 

 will, to the torrid or the artic regions of the earth. 

 He is, therefore, found at all seasons in the countries 

 he inhabits ; but prefers such places as have been men- 

 tioned abow, from the great partiality he has for fish. 

 ■• In procuring these, he displays in a very singular 

 manner the genius and energy of his character, which 

 is fierce, contemplative, daring, and tyranical ; attri- 

 butes not exerted but on particular occasions, but, 

 when put forth, overpowering all opposition. Elevated 

 on the high dead limb of some gigantic tree, that 

 commands a wide view of the neighboring shore, and 

 ocean, he seems calmly to contemplate the motions of 

 the various feathered tribes that pursue their busy 

 avocations below ; the snow wake gulls slowly win- 



