164 WHITE-HEADED EAGLE. 



of them or of the tail ; and in this manner it often rises until it disappears 

 from the view, the white tail remaining longer visible than the rest of the 

 body. At other times, it rises only a few hundred feet in the air, and 

 sails off in a direct line, and with rapidity. Again, when thus elevated, 

 it partially closes its wings, and glides downwards for a considerable space, 

 when, as if disappointed, it suddenly checks its career, and reassumes its 

 former steady flight. When at an immense height, and as if observing 

 an object on the ground, it closes its wings, and glides through the air 

 with such rapidity as to cause a loud rustling sound, not unhke that pro- 

 duced by a violent gust of wind passing am.ongst the branches of trees. 

 Its fall towards the earth can scarcely be followed by the eye on such oc- 

 casions, the more particularly that these falls or glidings through the air 

 usually take place when they are least expected. 



This bird has the power of raising from the surface of the water any 



floating object not heavier than itself. In this manner it often robs the 



sportsman of ducks which have been killed by him. Its audacity is quite 



remarkable. While descending the Upper Mississippi, I observed one of 



these Eagles in pursuit of a Green- winged Teal. It came so near our 



boat, although several persons were looking on, that I could perceive the 



glancings of its eye. The Teal, on the point of being caught, when not 



more than fifteen or twenty yards from us, was saved from the grasp of 



its enemy, one of our party having brought the latter down by a shot, 



which broke one of its wings. When taken on board, it was fastened to 



the deck of our boat by means of a string, and was fed with pieces of 



cat-fish, some of which it began to eat on the third day of its confinement. 



But, as it became a very disagreeable and dangerous associate, trying on 



all occasions to strike at some one with its talons, it was killed and thrown 



overboard. 



When these birds are suddenly and unexpectedly approached or sur- 

 prised, they exhibit a great degree of cowardice. They rise at once and 

 fly off" very low, in zig-zag lines, to some distance, uttering a hissing noise, 

 not at all like their usual disagreeable imitation of a laugh. When not 

 carrying a gun, one may easily approach them ; but the use of that in- 

 strument being to appearance well known to them, they are very cautious 

 in allowing a person having one to get near them. Notwithstanding all 

 their caution, however, many are shot by approaching them under cover 

 of a tree, on horseback, or in a boat. They do not possess the power of 

 smelling gunpowder, as the crow and the raven are absurdly supposed to 



