EAGLE AND SALMON. 101 



seal and cod in the same manner. A curious incident 

 was related to me a few days ago by a Highland 

 gentleman. He was sauntering along the seashore 

 with his gun, when he saw an eagle suddenly pounce 

 upon some object in the water, in all probability a 

 salmon. A fierce fight ensued, in which it seemed 

 doubtful on which side would be the victory. The 

 talons of the eagle were so deeply imbedded in the 

 back of the fish, that he could not extricate himself; 

 while the fish, on his part, was not strong enough to 

 drag his assailant under water. In this state they con- 

 tinued for some time ; the tenant of the deep rushing 

 wildly about, and ploughing up the still waters of the 

 bay; while the monarch of the air, for once fairly 

 matched, was compelled to ride his finny courser, nolens 

 volens, occasionally declaring his majesty's reluctance 

 by a not very dignified flapping of his kingly pinions. 

 Thus engaged, my informant watched the struggle 

 with considerable interest, until the combatants gradu- 

 ally drifted out to sea, and were presently lost to view. 

 How the matter terminated witness deponeth not. 



Gillespie once found an eagle and a skate lying dead 

 upon the shore, having doubtless both perished in a 

 similar struggle. 



