THE GOLDEN EAGLE. 199 



finding tliat the charcoal fumes would not pro- 

 duce the desired effect, I retired 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 

 house in a few hours, by the stifling vapours, 

 while the noble bird continued to stand erect, 

 and look defiance at us whenever we approached 

 his post of martyrdom. His fierce demeanour 

 precluded all internal application, and at last 

 I was compelled to resort to a method, always 

 used as a last expedient, and a most effectual 

 one. I thrust a long pointed piece of steel 

 through his heart, when my proud prisoner in- 

 stantly 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 pros- 

 trated me for some days." 



The golden eagle, which frequents the shores 

 of the Hudson and the upper parts of the Mis- 

 sissippi, was also seen by Audubon over the 

 dreary heights of Labrador. 



Though it cannot, like the white-headed 

 eagle, seize its prey when on wing, the keenness 

 of its vision enables it to mark the desired object 

 at a great distance, and driving through the air 



