22 THE DODO. 



THE DODO 



Is a native of the Isle of France. Unwieldy in form, and de- 

 ficient in strength, its body is massive, and almost round ; and 

 its legs resemble two thick clumsy pillars. We shall give no 

 further description of its conformation or habits, than merely 

 observing, that it seems to be among birds what the sloth is 

 among quadrupeds. We are too little acquainted with it to 

 know its instincts, its sensations, or its utility in the general sys- 

 tem. Of this only we are certain, that the Omnipotent and 

 All wise Creator has made nothing but for some beneficial pur- 

 pose ; and that every thing has its place assigned, and its use 

 determined, in the universal plan. 



CHAPTER III. 



THE RAPACIOUS KIND. 



" High from the summit of a craggy cliff, 

 Hung o'er the deep, — such as amazing frowns 

 On utmost Kilda's shore, whose lonely race 

 Resign the setting sun to Indian worlds, — 

 The royal Eagle draws his vigorous young, 

 Strong-pounc'd, and ardent with paternal fire ; 

 Now, fit to raise a kingdom of their own, 

 He drives them from his fort, the towering seat, 

 For ages, of his empire." — Thomson. 



We now proceed to a view of the rapacious tribe of birds 

 which reign masters of the airy regions, in the same manner 

 as the beasts of prey among quadrupeds domineer over the other 

 animals that inhabit the forest ; and shall first contemplate the 

 powers and properties of the Eagle, which, under the denomina- 

 tion of the bird of Jove, has so frequently been introduced by 

 poets for the illustration or the embellishment of their subjects. 



THE GOLDEN EAGLE 



Is the largest and noblest of all the feathered tyrants of this 

 race ; and has obtained among birds the same pre-eminence 

 which the lion is allowed to possess among the quadruped tribes. 

 From the point of the bill to the extremity of the tail, it meas- 

 ures more than three feet ; and about eight feet in breadth, 

 when its wings are extended. The weight of the female is from 

 sixteen to eighteen pounds ; but the male is smaller, and does 

 not commonly exceed twelve pounds in weight. The eagle pos- 



