194 AUDUBON THE NATURALIST. 



are also inliabitants of tlie Western World, tHe 

 owl, of which there exists a great variety, and 

 the eagle. Among the latter the white-headed 

 eagle is especially distinguished. The noble bird 

 is renowned for his strength, his courage, and 

 his remarkable powers of flight. As winter 

 advances along the shore of the Mississippi, he 

 may be seen. Erect on the summit of the tallest 

 tree, adorning the banks of that proud stream, his 

 keen eye eagerly viewing the expanse around, 

 sits this ruthless monarch among birds, the ter- 

 ror of all aerial and aquatic wanderers. Should 

 everything remain tranquil, he is warned by a 

 cry from his companion to continue patient for 

 a while, to which the eagle replies in tones 

 described as resembling the laugh of a maniac 

 Silently he watches, regardless of the insig- 

 nificant teal or widgeon, which crosses the cur- 

 rent, until at length he is roused by the sight 

 of a swan, her snowy form moving gracefully, 

 as she sails with majestic ease along the waters. 

 Then it is that the exulting shriek of the eagle 

 is borne over the stream, striking the ear of the 

 swan with terror, as, flapping her large wings, 

 with out-stretched neck and animated eye, she 

 watches the enemy's approach. Darting through 

 the air like a lightning flash, he bears down 

 with resistless destruction on his despairing prey. 

 For a time it struggles, seeks to dash into the 



