CXCVi LIFE OF WILSON. 



self around the cage in all the ecstasy of enthusiasm, seeming 

 not only to sing, but to dance, keeping time to the measure of 

 his own music. Both in his native and domesticated state, du- 

 ring the solemn stillness of night, as soon as the moon rises in 

 silent majesty, he begins his delightful solo ; and serenades us 

 with a full display of his vocal powers, making the whole neigh- 

 bourhood ring with his inimitable medley." 



I will give but one example more of our author's descriptive 

 powers, and that will be found in his history of the Bald Eagle. 

 As a specimen of nervous writing, it is excellent; in its imagery, 

 it is unsurpassed; and in the accuracy of its detail, it transcends 

 all praise. 



" This distinguished bird, as he is the most beautiful of his 

 tribe in this part of the world, and the adopted emblem of our 

 country, is entitled to particular notice. He has been long 

 known to naturalists, being common to both continents, and oc- 

 casionally met with from a very high northern latitude, to the 

 borders of the torrid zone, but chiefly in the vicinity of the sea, 

 and along the shores and cliffs of our lakes and large rivers. 

 Formed by nature for braving the severest cold; feeding equal- 

 ly on the produce of the sea, and of the land; possessing pow- 

 ers of flight capable of outstripping even the tempests them- 

 selves; unawed by any thing but man; and from the ethereal 

 heights to which he soars, looking abroad, at one glance, on an 

 immeasurable expanse of forests, fields, lakes and ocean, deep 

 below him; he appears indifferent to the little localities of change 

 of seasons; as in a few minutes he can pass from summer to 

 winter, from the lower to the higher regions of the atmosphere, 

 the abode of eternal cold; and thence descend at will to the 

 torrid or the arctic regions of the earth. He is therefore found 

 at all seasons in the countries which he inhabits; but prefers 

 such places as have been mentioned above, from the great par- 

 tiality he has for fish. 



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

 the genius and energy of his character, which is fierce, contem- 

 plative, daring and tyrannical: attributes not exerted but on 



