264 , BIRDS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



able to its morals, is strongly illustrative of its power ; and|as 

 power and oppression are apt to be united in human beings, 

 we cannot wonder that the same alliance should exist in birds. 

 It stands perched on some tree, from which it commands a 

 wide view over the waters, where it waits in gigantic repose, 

 its wings lifted, as if keeping time with the heaving sea. It 

 seems to look with calm unconcern on the numberless birds 

 that are sporting or gathering food upon the waves ; but all 

 the while its bright eye is fixed upon the industrious fish- 

 hawk, which, unconscious of danger, is quietly gathering 

 food for his young. The moment he reappears from his 

 plunges, whitening the sea with foam, the eagle launches forth 

 from his resting place, pursues him with force and rapidity even 

 greater than his own ; and when, after wheeling in broad circles 

 and trying every art and effort to escape, the hawk is com- 

 pelled, as a last resource, to let fall his prey, the eagle balances 

 a moment, as if to make sure its aim. then shoots down like an 

 arrow, and secures its prey before it touches the wave. These 

 exhibitions excite much sympathy for the injured party in 

 those who witness them ; and it is to be hoped, that it was 

 no prophetic discernment which selected this eagle, beautiful 

 as it is, to represent the character of our Union. 



Sometimes the fish-hawks, when they can endure their inju- 

 ries no longer, combine their forces, and compel the eagle to 

 retreat from the shore. In that case, it makes havoc among 

 other birds, or when those resources fail, it sometimes carries 

 away lambs from the neighboring farms. It is said that it has 

 made an attempt to carry ofi" children, and there is no doubt 

 that it has sufiicient strength and courage. Sometimes it robs 

 the sportsman of the birds which he has shot ; it seems to un- 

 derstand the use of the gun, and to know that when once dis- 

 charged, it is harmless till loaded again. It is commonly very 

 difficult for a person thus armed to approach this eagle, for, 

 audacious as it is, it does not rashly expose itself to danger. It 

 is shot by approaching it under the cover of a tree, or after a 

 snow-storm, when, for a time, it seems to lose much of the 

 power of its eye. 



