372 LAND-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS 



fasting, is of the most voracious and often the most indelicate 

 kind. Fish, when he can obtain them, are preferred to all 

 other fare. Young lambs and pigs are dainty morsels, and 

 made free with on all favorable occasions. Ducks, Geese, 

 Gulls and other sea fowl, are also seized with avidity. The 

 most putrid carrion, when nothing better can be had, is accept- 

 able ; and the collected groups of gormandizing Vultures, on 

 the approach of this dignified personage, instantly disperse, 

 and make way for their master, waiting his departure in sullen 

 silence, and at a respectful distance, on the adjacent trees." 



"The flight of the Bald Eagle, when taken into considera- 

 tion with the ardor and energy of his character, is noble and 

 interesting. Sometimes the human eye can just discern him, 

 like a minute speck, moving in slow curvatures along the face 

 of the heavens, as if reconnoitring the earth at that immense dis- 

 tance. Sometimes he glides along in a direct horizontal line, 

 at a vast height, with expanded and unmoving wings, till he 

 gradually disappears in the distant blue ether. Seen gliding in 

 easy circles over the high shores and mountainous cliffs that 

 tower above the Hudson and Susquehanna, he attracts the eye 

 of the intelligent voyager, and adds great interest to the scen- 

 ery. At the great cataract of Niagara, already mentioned, 

 there rises from the gulf into which the falls of the Horse-shoe 

 descends, a stupendous column of smoke, or spray, reaching 

 to the heavens, and moving off in large black clouds, accord- 

 ing to the direction of the wind, forming a very striking and 

 majestic appearance. The Eagles are here seen sailing about, 

 sometimes losing themselves in this thick column, and again 

 reappearing in another place, with such ease and elegance of 

 motion, as renders the whole truly sublime. 



High o'er the watery uproar, silent seen, 

 Sailing sedate in majesty serene, 

 Now midst the sprays sublimely lost, 

 And now, emerging, down the rapids tost, 

 Glides the Bald Eagle, gazing, calm and slow 

 O'er all the horrors of the scene below; 

 Intent alone to sate himself with blood, 

 1 From the torn victims of the raging flood." 



Wilson elsewhere says : " The Eagle is said to live to a 



