262 WILD SCENES AND SONG-BIRDS. 



Here we have the Golden Eagle of course, for " golden 

 feather " tells an unmistakable story of its own. Kegarding 

 it from the point of view of the Art-Naturalist, this certainly 

 seems one of the closest approximations to the absolute cre- 

 ativeness of Art to be found in all poetry. 



But the Golden Eagle did not furnish a symbol of freedom 

 to mankind with all the grandeur of ancient association, 

 this the grandest and most noble has been yet denied. Al- 

 though a most magnificent bird it is too sluggish on the wing 

 seeking with its feudal type " advantage of position " for 

 its swoop ! to be the satisfactory expression of that univer- 

 sality of fiery, keen and boundless energy which belongs to 

 the swift spirit of freedom, which has found its home here in 

 the New World ! Of this the White-headed Eagle is the true 

 emblem ! He asserts an empire of the Empyrean with the 

 ruthless pride of a prodigal, indomitable strength in pinion, 

 beak and claw ! To it there are no formulas of flight no 

 fixed modes of taking prey all comes alike to its inexorable 

 appetite and quick overcoming wings. Hear Audubon's de- 

 scription of its varied powers of flight : 



" The flight of the White-headed Eagle is strong, generally 

 uniform, and protracted to any distance, at pleasure. Whilst 

 travelling, it is entirely supported by equal easy flappings, 

 without any intermission, in as far as I have observed it, by 

 following it with the eye or the assistance of a glass. When 

 looking for prey, it sails with extended wings, at right angles 

 to its body, now and then allowing its legs to hang at their 

 full length. Whilst sailing, it has the power of ascending in 

 circular sweeps, without a single flap of the wings, or any 

 apparent motion either of them or of the tail ; and in this 

 manner it often rises until it disappears from the view, the 

 white tail remaining longer visible than the rest of the body. 

 At other times, it rises only a few hundred feet in the air, 

 and sails off in a direct line, and with rapidity. Again, when 

 thus elevated, it partially closes its wings, and glides down- 

 wards for a considerable space, when, as if disappointed, it 



