512 NATURAL HISTORY. 



to Alexander Wilson, telling you liow lie obtains the fish of which he is so 

 inordinately fond : — 



" In procuring these he displays, in a very singular manner, the genius 

 and energy of his character, which is fierce, contemplative, daring, and 

 tyrannical, — attributes 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 shores 

 and ocean, he seems calml}- to contemplate the motions of the various 

 feathered tribes that pursue their busy avocations below, — the snow-white 

 gull slowl} 7 winnowing the air ; the busy sandpipers coursing along the 

 sands ; trains of ducks streaming over the surface ; silent and watchful 

 cranes intent and wading; clamorous crows; and all the winged multitudes 

 that subsist by the bounty of this vast liquid magazine of nature. High 

 over all these hovers one whose action instantly arrests his whole attention. 

 By his wide curvature of wing and sudden suspension in air, he knows him 

 to be the fish-hawk, settling over some devoted victim of the deep. His 

 eye kindles at the sight ; and, balancing himself with half-opened wings 

 on the branch, he watches the result. Down, rapid as an arrow from 

 heaven, descends the object of his attention, the roar of its wings reaching 

 the ear as it disappears in the deep, making the surges foam around. At 

 this moment the eager looks of the eagle are all ardor ; and, levelling his 

 neck for flight, he sees the fish-hawk once more emerge, struggling with 

 his prey, and mounting into the air with screams of exultation. These 

 are the signals for our hero, who, launching into the air, instantly gives 

 chase, and soon gains on the fish-hawk ; each exerts his utmost to mount 

 above the other, displaying in these rencontres the most elegant and sublime 

 aerial evolutions. The unencumbered eagle rapidly advances, and is just 

 on the point of reaching his opponent when, with a sudden scream, prob- 

 ably of despair and honest execration, the latter drops his fish. The eagle, 

 poising himself for a moment, as if to take a more certain aim, descends 

 like a whirlwind, snatches it ere it reaches the water, and bears his ill- 

 gotten booty silently away to the woods." This is the bird of freedom ! 



I never saw the eagle more himself than once with a captive specimen. 

 He was in a large slat cage, standing in the yard, and usually appeared 

 rather stupid, except when tormented by the boys, or excited by his regular 

 meals of fish. One day, however, he showed all his aquiline traits, so far 

 as the surroundings would permit : a stray cat, chased by a dog, fled to his 

 cage for refuge. Ere she entered it his whole nature seemed to change; 

 he was no longer sluggish, but every muscle, every feather, seemed alive; 

 and his harsh scream rasped the ear. As the cat entered, the eagle, yelling 

 its loudest, darted like an arrow down from his perch, and quicker than 



