186 EAGLES. 



known that the osprey is a purveyor for the two 

 other kinds of Eag-le — and that they compel thii> 

 skilful bird to surrender the fish which he catches 

 so abundantly. 



The immense quantities of fish which collect 

 below the falls of Niagara, and which inhabit 

 that river and the mouth of Lake Erie, necessa- 

 rily draw together these birds, and 1 have never 

 ;seen so many as appear to occupy this region. 



I shot a bald eagle which measured eight feet 

 from the extremity of one wing to that of the 

 other. His talons were so formidable, ^nd his 

 courage so great, that after receiving his mortal 

 wound, he beat off several dogs in a pitched bat- 

 tle ; and I was told of one which was killed near 

 Canandaigua, and which weighed 14 pounds. 

 It had actually killed several sheep. I have seen 

 both kinds near the Catskill mountains, where 

 they erect their aeries on the loftiest trees, and 

 where they soar in " eagle-winged pride." And 

 yet T have beheld this imperial bird fly from a 

 tree on which a crow bad lit. I have seen him 

 avoid the annoyances of the king-bird, and re- 

 treat before a congregation of ospreys. 



A grey eagle was shown to me which must have 

 been full grown^ It was the size of a bald eagle, 

 and had been shot in the wing about twelve 

 months before. Its colour was a darkish browa 



