

EAGLES AND AST. 259 



gently along, while approaching winter brings millions of 

 water-fowl on whistling wings, from the countries of the 

 north, to seek a milder climate in which to sojourn for a sea- 

 son. The Eagle is seen perched in an erect attitude, on the 

 highest summit of the tallest tree, by the margin of the broad 

 stream. His glistening but stern eye looks over the vast ex- 

 panse. He listens attentively to every sound that comes to his 

 quick ear from afar, glancing now and then on the earth be- 

 neath, lest even the light tread of the fawn may pass unheard. 

 His mate is perched on the opposite side, and should all be 

 tranquil and silent, warns him by a cry to continue patient. 

 At this well-known call, the male partly opens his broad 

 wings, inclines his body a little downwards, and answers to 

 her voice in tones not unlike the laugh of a maniac. The 

 next moment he resumes his erect attitude, and again all 

 around is silent. Ducks of many species, the teal, the widgeon, 

 the mallard and others, are seen passing with great rapidity, 

 and following the course of the current ; but the Eagle heeds 

 them not : they are at that time beneath his attention. The 

 next moment, however, the wild, trumpet-like sound of a 

 yet distant but approaching swan is heard. A shriek from 

 the female Eagle comes across the stream for, kind reader, 

 she is fully as alert as her mate. The latter suddenly shakes 

 the whole of his body, and with a few touches of his bill, 

 aided by the action of his cuticular muscles, arranges his 

 plumage in an instant. The snow-white bird is now in sight : 

 her long neck is stretched forward, her eye is on the watch, 

 vigilant as that of her enemy ; her large wings seem with 

 difficulty to support the weight of her body, although they 

 flap incessantly. So irksome do her exertions seem, that her 

 very legs are spread beneath her tail, to aid her in her flight. 

 She approaches, however. The Eagle has marked her for 

 his prey. As the swan is passing the dreaded pair, starts 

 from his perch, in full preparation for the chase, the male 

 bird, with an awful scream, that to the swan's ear brings more 

 terror than the report of the large duck-gun. 



