42 



VERTEBllATA. 



'^■"'v.'.U . M 'J^J^^ &' ^ ' ^ 



TUE BALD EAGLE. 



it to be long coufonnded with the Great Sea Eagle. It is found along the sea-coasts, lakes, 

 and rivers throughout the Arctic circle, and is met with in the northern parts of Europe, 

 Asia, and America. It is common in the United States, and breeds along the borders of the 

 ocean, usually making its nest in a secluded situation, on some lofty pine or cypress ; this is com- 

 posed of large sticks, four or five feet in length, forming a foundation, on which is laid a covering 

 of sods, hay, moss, weeds, pine tops, and other coarse materials, all forming a pile five or six feet 

 high, and four or five in breadth. On this almost hard bed, eggs are laid, usually at long inter- 

 vals, so that the young are hatched at different periods. Here the young" are sedulously fed, 

 principally on fish ; they continue to resort to the nest as their home and refuge, long after they 

 are able to fly and provide for themselves. It is common for the old birds to breed year after 

 year, in the same haunts. 



The pugnacious habits of this bold and powerful bird, have excited the admiration, and stimu- 

 lated the descriptive powers of many naturalists ; but Wilson, in a celebrated passage, has surpassed 

 all others, and excited in the reader emotions of sublimity rivaling those of the actual beholder. 

 "This distinguished bird," says he, "is the most beautiful of his tribe in this part of the world, 

 and the adopted emblem of our country; it is therefore entitled to particular notice. The 

 celebrated Cataract of Niagara is a noted place of resort for these birds, as well on account of 

 the fish procured there, as for the numerous carcasses of squirrels, deer, bears, and various other 

 animals, that, in their attempts to cross the river above the Falls, have been dragged into the 



