158 



DEATH. 



The flattened skull is the degrading sign of these murderers. I 

 trace it in the most extolled, in those whom man has the most 

 flattered, and even in the noble falcon; noble, it is true, and I the 

 less dispute the justice of the title, because, unlike the eagle and 

 other executioners, it knows how to kill its prey at a blow, and 

 scorns to torture it. 



These birds of prey, with their small brains, offer a striking con- 

 trast to the numerous amiable and plainly intelligent species which 

 we rind among the smaller birds. The head of the former is only a 

 beak; that of the latter has a face. What comparison can be made 

 between these brute giants and the intelligent, all-human bird, the 

 robin redbreast, which at this very moment hovers about me, perches 

 on my shoulder or my paper, examines my writing, warms himself at 



