TUE WHITE-HEADED EAGLE. 65 
offal thrown into the streets: they were so tame that they took their prey in 
the midst of crowds, and it was forbidden to kill them. 
“The Kite,” says Mr. Selby, “is proverbial for the ease and eracefulness 
of its flight, which consists of long, sweeping circles, performed with a mo- 
tionless wing, or, at least, with a slight and almost imperceptible stroke of 
its pinions, and at very distant intervals. In this manner, and directing its 
course by the aid of the tail, which acts as a rudder, its slightest motion pro- 
ducing an effect, it frequently soars to such a height as to become almost 
invisible to the human eye.” Its appearance, as it wheels over the farm- 
yard, with eyes intent upon the broods of chickens and ducklings, is by no 
means hailed with pleasure, either by the feathered dependants of the farm, 
or the good man who owns them. The poultry set up loud cries of execra- 
tion; the hens call their broods beneath their wings, and chanticleer prepares 
for battle; the dogs are roused, and the men run for their guns. Finding 
preparations made to receive him, the marauder generally makes off; but 
if he has swept away a chicken before the alarm is given, he is almost sure 
of repeating his visit, and is oftentimes so successful as to destroy a whole 
brood. Leverets, rabbits, young game, and small mammalia are also the 
prey of this species: it has been known to skim off dead fish and other float- 
ing animal substances from the surface of the water with the createst address. 
The IXite builds its nest in the forked branch of some tall forest tree, and 
constructs it of sticks and twigs, lining it with wool, hair, and other soft 
materials. The eges are three in number, rather larger than those of a 
hen: they are of a dirty white, with reddish-brown spots at the large end. 
The female defends her nest vigorously. 
Of the Aquiéline, the White-headed Eagle, or Bald Eagle, as it is im- 
properly called, the Golden Eagle, and the Great Ilarpy Eagle furnish 
prominent examples. 
The White-headed Eagle is found in nearly all portions of temperate 
North America, from whence it is a very rare wanderer in Europe. Wil- 
son’s account of the bird and its habits is one of the most interesting pas- 
sages in ornithological literature. 5 
“The celebrated cataract of Niagara,” he says, “is a noted resort for the 
Bald Eagle, as well on account of the fish procured there, as for the numer- 
ous carcasses of squirrels, deer, bears, and other various animals, that, in 
their attempts to cross the river above the falls, have been dragged into the 
current, and precipitated down that tremendous culf, where, among the 
rocks that bound the rapids below, they furnish a rich repast for the vulture, 
the raven, and the subject of the present account. 
“Formed by nature for bearing the severest cold, feeding equally on the 
produce of the sea and of the land, possessing powers of flight capable of 
