282 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



the characteristic adult plumage is not attained until after 

 the third year, since the above female, which was evidently 

 in its second year, differed in nowise from the male that 

 was subsequently killed. This is on the supposition that 

 the last-named bird was identical with the one which vis- 

 ited the locality the year before. All the circumstances 

 of the case seem to point to this identity. 



- The Bald Eagle seems peculiarly adapted to endure both 

 heat and cold. Its residence is seemingly regulated by the 

 abundance of food-stuffs. At the falls of Niagara, it is 

 particularly abundant, owing to the' plentiful supply which 

 can be readily obtained, through the manifold destruction of 

 life which the rapidly descending current effects. Few spe- 

 cies display less scrupulousness and stronger voracity, than 

 the one under consideration. It is by no means fastidious 

 about its fare and exhibits a want of inclination to earn 

 honestly and industriously its own livelihood. It delights 

 to frequent the fishing-grounds of the Osprey, and to wrest 

 by force and even violence, the hard-won earnings of the 

 latter. The impetuosity and skill with which it follows the 

 Fish Hawk, and ultimately overtakes and robs it of its 

 booty, together with the swiftness with which it darts down 

 and grasps it before it has reached the water, are wonderful 

 performances, and need only to be seen to be fully appreci- 

 ated. When compelled by necessity, it is capable of pro- 

 viding for its own maintenance. We have frequently ob- 

 served it to dive and capture its own fish. 



The birds, to which reference has been made above, did 

 not seem unnecessarily shy, as they were approached with 

 but little difficulty. The sexes were within a few paces of 

 each other, and were evidently both on the lookout for an op- 

 portunity to seize a chicken for their evening's meal. It was 

 lute in the afternoon when they were surprised. For sev- 

 eral days before, they had been seen in the neighborhood, 

 and also along the Wissahickon Creek. The two always 

 kept close together, and manifested considerable affection 



