118 THE EAGLE. 



or lambs in the adjoining fields; but now and then, 

 when from some accident it had not been regularly 

 supplied with its accustomed food, it would seize 

 upon and kill young pigs. Children, who constantly 

 met it, as it walked about the garden, were never 

 molested; but on one occasion, it attacked its master 

 with some violence, in consequence, as it was sup- 

 posed, of his having neglected to bring it some bread 

 or other food it was accustomed to receive from his 

 hand. At length, after having lived about ten or 

 twelve years in this way, it was killed by a powerful 

 and ferocious mastiff. Nobody saw the battle, but 

 it must have been long and bravely contested, for 

 the dog, though victorious, was so severely wounded^ 

 that it died almost immediately afterwards. 



The weight of a large Eagle is about twelve pounds, 

 though some (as the Bird of Washington) weigh 

 fourteen pounds and a half; rather more than an 

 average-sized Goose. But in order to transport 

 this weight with their extraordinary occasional speed 

 of 140 miles or more per .hour, which it has been 

 proved these birds can accomplish, there is a prodi- 

 gious spread of wing, from seven to upwards of ten 

 feet, from tip to tip, in addition to a muscular power 

 almost incredible. 



An Eagle has been known to strike and kill its 

 prey with a stroke of its pinions, before it touched 

 them with its claws. Many people have, however, 

 doubted whether they have sufficient strength to 

 carry off children and lambs; and if such belief 

 rested only on one or two instances, it might be 

 reasonably questioned, but so many well-authenti- 

 cated cases have been mentioned, as having occurred 



