54 NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Depredations Instance of revenge. 



celestial bird, and was regarded in their mytho- 

 logy as the messenger of Jupiter. He can dis- 

 tinguish objects at an immense distance ; but his 

 power of smell is inferior to that of the vulture. 

 By means of his exquisite sight he pursues his 

 prey; and, when he has seized it, he checks his 

 flight, and places it upon the ground, to examine 

 its weight before he carries it off. Though his 

 wings are vigorous, yet, his legs being stiff, it i* 

 with difficulty he can rise, especially if he be 

 loaded. He is able, however, to bear away 

 geese and cranes; and also carries off hares, 

 young lambs, and kids. When he attacks fawns 

 or calves, he instantly gluts himself with their 

 blood and flesh, and afterwards transports their 

 mangled carcases to his nest, or aerie!' 



Formed by nature for a life of rapine and hos- 

 tility, these birds are solitary and unsociable. 

 They are also fierce, but not implacable; and 

 though not easily tamed, are certainly capable of 

 great docility, and in some cases, evince an at- 

 tachment to those by whom they are kindly 

 treated. This, however, happens but rarely; as 

 the keeper is too often savage and unrelenting; 

 and sometimes brings on himself a severe revenge, 

 A gentleman who resided in the south of Scot- 

 land had, some years ago, a tame eagle^ which 

 the keeper one day injudiciously lashed with a 

 horsewhip. About a week afterwards, the man 

 chanced to stoop within reach of its chain; when 

 the enraged animal, recollecting the late insult, 



