ORDER ACCIPITRES. 233 



mentioned remains in the river. When it returns to the ocean, 

 the pygargus retires to his mountains, to pursue game, and 

 the balbuzzard betakes himself to the sea-shore, where he is 

 no longer obliged to pay tribute for his plunder*. 



The balbuzzard builds its nest on the lofty trees of thick 

 forests, or in the crevices of rocks. According to Lewin, it is 

 also constructed on the ground in the midst of reeds. Two or 

 three white eggs are generally laid, sometimes four, and 

 spotted with red. 



These birds are almost always in pairs; but when the 

 waters are frozen, they separate in search of milder climates 

 and a more facile subsistence ; they are usually very fat, and 

 the flesh savours strongly of fish. It is said, that they might 

 easily be trained for fishing as other birds are for hunting, 

 and it appears not improbable. 



In Siberia, where they are very common, an opinion prevails 

 that they carry a mortal poison in their talons, and the super 

 stitious inhabitants are dreadfully afraid of a single scratch. 



The Great Harpy is a bird which has been described under 

 various synonymes, in consequence of the variations which 

 result from age and sex, in its magnitude and plumage. It is 

 found in Brazil, New Granada, and Guyana, where it par- 

 ticularly inhabits the forests of the interior. It is also found 

 in other countries of America, and is peculiar to that continent. 

 It is said to be the most robust and poAverful of the feathered 



* A still more extiaordiniiry circumstance is related of tlie pyg-arg-iis, 

 by M. de Bucli, in his travels in Norway and Lapland; and notwith- 

 standing the respectable autiiority on which it rests, we can scarcely 

 credit it. The pygargiof the isles of the interior sea, known under the 

 name of Loffoden, not being able to attack the oxen with open force, 

 have recourse to this stratagem. The bird plunges into the waves, and 

 coming out all wet, rolls himself upon the shore until his plumage is all 

 covered with sand, he then hovers over his victim, shaking the saud into 

 his eyes, and striking him at the same time with his beak and wings. 

 The ox blinded, and rendered desperate, runs here and there, to avoid an 

 enemy who attacks him on all sides, and he falls at last, exhausted widi 

 fatigue, or precipitates himself from the summit of a rock. The eagle 

 then drops upon him, and devours his prey in tranquillity. 



Vol. VI. R 



