( io ) 



black, their shafts of a lighter color; bill, cere, iris, tarsi, and feet, 

 yellow ; claws blackish-brown ; feet and lower portion of tarsi na- 

 ked. Young varying according to advanced stages ; bill dusky ; 

 plumage dark brown, head, neck, and tail-feathers paler, mottled 

 and freckled with grayish-white, which gradually increases and 

 assumes a more decided white appearance as the bird advances in 

 age. Length three feet, wing twenty-three and three quarters. 



This well known bird is an inhabitant of both Europe and 

 America ; in the United States it is met with along the whole ex- 

 tent of our sea-coast, as well as along the shores of the interior 

 lakes and rivers, and is said to breed in the Fur countries. On 

 Long Island, during winter, it is quite abundant. I have known 

 from sixty to seventy to have been shot in one season. 



It does not arrive at full plumage until an advanced age ; the 

 young, therefore, are by some thought to be a separate species, 

 which they term " Gray Eagle." In general, it is supposed to ap- 

 pear in full plumage at about the fifth year ; although I have been 

 informed that a gentleman residing in Charleston, S. C, procured 

 two young birds, and placed them in his aviary ; on the fifth year, 

 one appeared in full plumage, having the head and upper part of 

 the neck and tail feathers white, while the mature plumage of the 

 other was not fully developed on the ninth year. 



The favorite food of this elegant bird is fish ; and when such 

 cannot be procured, it descends on small quadrupeds, and has been 

 known to carry off lambs, and attack full grown sheep. Its great 

 strength and power of wing enables it to hold the sway among the 

 feathered inhabitants of the air ; and as the adopted emblem of our 

 country, it is respected by all nations on the earth. Free and in- 

 dependent as are the happy people of this great and glorious re- 

 public, it roams about at will. 



In summer it extends to the interior of the northern Fur coun- 

 tries. It frequents the shores of the Pacific, and its majestic flight 

 is observed in all parts of the United States. It sweeps over the ex- 

 tensive prairies — follows the rapid course of the mighty Mississippi 

 and other great arteries of the West — passes through the valleys — 

 and at pleasure ascends to the ethereal regions, until lost to the eye 

 in space— delights in cascades and cataracts — bathes in the spray 



