THE GOLDEN EAGLE. 17 



the young eaglets' daily portion. In order to 

 prolong the attention of the parent birds to their 

 voracious young ones beyond the usual period, 

 he dipt the wings of the eaglets, and thus pre- 

 vented their departure from the nest. As soon 

 as they have sufficient strength of wing to go in 

 search of prey and provide for their own wants, 

 the old birds have fulfilled all the parental duties 

 which nature requires of them, and dismiss their 

 eaglets to seek their fortunes on some distant 

 mountain, where they too may " make their nest 

 on high, and abide on the crag of the rock." 



" High from the summit of a craggy cliff 1 , 

 Hung o'er the deep, such as amazing frowns 

 On utmost KiloVs shore, whose lonely race 

 Resign the setting sun to Indian worlds, 

 The royal eagle draws his vigorous young, 

 Strong pounced, and ardent with paternal fire. 

 Now fit to raise a kingdom of their own, 

 He drives them from his fort, the towering seat 

 For ages of his empire; which, in peace, 

 Unstain'd he holds, while many a league to sea 

 He wings his course, and preys in distant isles." 



THOMSON. 



Many anecdotes are related of the rapacity of 

 this bird, in seizing, and carrying to his nest 

 in triumph, young children left unguarded in the 

 neighbourhood of his haunts. These are so well 

 known, that we are disposed to pass them by, 

 and give our readers, in their place, a narrative 



