136 THE FISH-HAWK. 



It sometimes happens, however, that the Fish Hawk 

 is neither permitted to eat his prey himself, nor carry 

 it to his young, but is obliged to yield it up to the bald 

 eagle, who generally lives by robbing the present 

 species. 



While the Fish Hawk is at work, as above described, 

 in order to provide for himself or family, the lazy bald 

 eagle is comfortably seated on some dry tree in the 

 neighbourhood, watching his motions, and expecting a. 

 good meal whenever his labours are successful. Now 

 and then, while the industrious Fish Hawk is pursuing 

 his prey, this indolent pirate shakes his feathers, and 

 prepares his wings for the pursuit, the instant he shall 

 see the good luck of his neighbour. 



When, therefore, the Fish Hawk rises with his prey, 

 the eagle begins the chase. The Fish Hawk often 

 seerns to know that his enemy is in the neighbourhood, 

 and therefore the moment he comes out of the water, 

 tries to avoid the robber, by rising as fast as possible 

 into the air. This he does by making small circles, 

 gradually rising upward in the form of a screw. The 

 Eagle, meantime exerts all his strength and swiftness, 

 in attempting to rise above the other, and in this man- 

 ner the contest is sometimes continued for half an 

 hour, or more, the Hawk constantly screaming, in a 

 loud and distressing voice. At last the pursued, finding 

 that his enemy has gained upon him, and that, with all 

 his exertions, he cannot escape, drops the fish, which 

 is nearly in every instance caught by the eagle, before 

 it reaches the ground ; and thus the poor hungry 

 Hawk is left to do his work over again. 



The conduct of the bald eagle is an apt emblem of 



