270 WILD SCENES AND SONG-BIEDS. 



persevered, however, ten hours in all, when finding that the 

 charcoal fumes would not produce the desired effect, I re- 

 tired to rest wearied and disappointed. 



" Early next morning I tried the charcoal anew, adding to 

 it a quantity of sulphur, but we were nearly driven from our 

 home in a few hours by the stifling vapors, while the noble 

 bird continued to stand erect, and to look defiance at us 

 whenever we approached his post of martyrdom. His fierce 

 demeanor precluded all internal application, and at last I 

 was compelled to resort to a method always used as the last 

 expedient, and a most effectual one. I thrust a long-pointed 

 piece of steel through his heart, when my proud prisoner 

 instantly fell dead, without even ruffling a feather. 



"I sat up nearly the whole of another night to outline 

 him, and worked so constantly at the drawing, that it nearly 

 cost me my life. I was suddenly seized with a spasmodic 

 affection, that much alarmed my family, and completely 

 prostrated me for some days ; but, thanks to my heavenly 

 Preserver, and the immediate and unremitting attention of 

 my most worthy friends, Drs. PARKMAN, SHATTUCK, and 

 WARREN, I was soon restored to health, and enabled to pur- 

 sue my labors. The drawing of this Eagle took me fourteen 

 days, and I had never before labored so incessantly except- 

 ing at that of the Wild Turkey." 



Ah, what an insight have we here of the patient, careful 

 processes and unsparing self-devotion of the Art-Naturalist ! 

 Think ! fourteen days of such ardent and unceasing labor 

 as to bring the strong man near to the grave ! and all to 

 draw a single bird. Ye stupid contemners of such " lowly 

 themes" as the Art-Naturalist chose, think of this! and 

 remember it was thus he won his illustrious name among 

 the Eagle-men of Earth ! 



This incessant and hurried labor was rendered necessary 

 by the fact, that the plumage and skin of the dead specimen 

 rapidly lose both color and gloss ! What an image of seem- 

 ingly unconquerable vitality is that of the Eagle on its perch, 



