FORT ERIE. 459 



a Bald Eagle's nest and young. The tree being on fire 

 more than half way up, and the flames rapidly ascending, 

 the parent Eagle darted around and among the flames until 

 her plumage was so much injured that it was with difficulty 

 she could make her escape, and even then she several times 

 attempted to return to relieve her offspring." 



The White-headed, or Bald Eagles, common to all North 

 America, and mating, in all probability, for life, are resident 

 throughout the year wherever the streams and bodies of 

 water are sufficiently open to afford sustenance. Eagles in 

 general have a remarkable longevity, reaching a hundred 

 years or upwards, even in confinement. This one, as well 

 as certain others of the world, is said to attack young 

 children occasionally. Wilson cites "a woman who, hap- 

 pening to be weeding in the garden, had set her child down 

 near, to amuse itself while she was at work, when a sudden 

 and extraordinary rushing sound, and a scream from her 

 child, alarmed her, and starting up, she beheld the infant 

 thrown down and dragged some few feet, and a large Bald 

 Eagle bearing off a fragment of its frock, which being the 

 only part seized, and giving way, providentially saved the 

 life of the infant." 



FORT ERIE. 



Changing the location of my tent to the government 

 grounds of Canada, near the remains of old Fort Erie, opposite 

 the city of Buffalo, I spend many days watching the Shore 

 Birds in their migrations. It is a beautiful spot, fanned 

 constantly, during these last days of dry summer heat, by 

 the most refreshing lake breezes. Here, too, where once 

 was all the roar of artillery in war, and in later times all 

 the rumble of a grand railroad terminus now removed, it is 

 most delightfully quiet. To the westward I look out 

 upon the broad expanse of Lake Erie; in the southern hori- 



