THE GOLDEN EAGLE. 



AMONG birds, the Eagle is usually considered 

 to hold the same place that the Lion does 

 among beasts. Buffon has drawn between them 

 a parallel w r hich displays his usual eloquence. 

 " Magnanimity," says he, " is equally conspi- 

 cuous in both ; they despise the small animals, 

 and disregard their insults. It is only after a 

 series of provocations, after being teased with 

 the noisy or harsh notes of the raven or mag- 

 pie, that the Eagle determines to punish their 

 temerity or their insolence with death. Be- 

 sides, both disdain the possession of that pro- 

 perty which is not the fruit of their own indus- 

 try; rejecting with contempt the prey which 

 is not procured by their own exertions. Both 

 are remarkable for their temperance. This spe- 

 cies seldom devours the whole of his game, but, 

 like the lion, leaves the fragments and offals to 

 other animals. Though famished for want of 



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