DEER. 189 



sed of a cart load of wood, and that it contained 

 two eaglets, which were not as yet feathered — 

 that they were eaten, and sTiade very good food. 

 I think that Boccacio in his Decameron, serves 

 up a falcon as a choice dish. 



The Americans have selected the eagic as the 

 symbol of national power. In the ancient my- 

 thology he was the bird of Jove, and in all na- 

 tions he is the sign of strength and majesty. His 

 eye can see to an immeasurable distance, and hie 

 flight is as rapid as the vollied lightning. 



LETTER XLIV. 



Western Region, August, 1 820, 

 My Deah Sir, 



0:s my way to the v*est I passed a few days at 

 Albaiiy, and among other public places I visited 

 the Museum of Natural History. Here I saw the 

 largest of the cervus genus called the moose. It 

 was mounted in the museum. Its height above the 

 shoulders 7 J feet, and its weight 1000 lbs. Its 

 horns had fallen otT before it was killed. Twen- 

 ty-five it is said were killed in the country north 

 of Whitestown last winter, at different times. 

 This one belonged to a herd of nve : The great 

 depth of the snow facilitated the success of the 



