Birds of Massachusetts. 75 
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. ; fee. 
Sometimes the fish-hawks, when they can endure 
their injuries 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 off children, and there is 
no doubt that it has sufficient strength and courage. 
Sometimes it robs the sportsman of the birds which 
he has shot ; it seems to understand the use of the 
gun, and to know that, when once discharged, 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. 
The white plumage of the head, from which this 
eagle derives its name, is not fully developed till the 
fourth, and sometimes not till the fifth or sixth year 
of its age. This is the case when the bird is in 
confinement ; perhaps when at liberty, it may attain 
its full beauty at an earlier age. In other respects, 
this eagle is mature within a year from the time of 
its biith. 
The Frzsu-mawk, Falco halietus, which is so 
