WHITE-HEADED EAGLE. f65 



do ; nor are they aware of the effects of spring-traps, as I have seen some 

 of them caught by these instruments. Their sight, although probably 

 as perfect as that of any bird, is much affected during a fall of snow, at 

 which time they may be approached without difficulty. 



The White-headed Eagle seldom appears in very mountainous dis- 

 tricts, but prefers the low lands of the sea-shores, those of our large lakes, 

 and the borders of rivers. It is a constant resident in the United States, 

 in every part of which it is to be seen. The roosts and breeding places 

 of pigeons are resorted to by it, for the purpose of picking up the young- 

 birds that happen to fall, or the old ones when wounded. It seldom, 

 however, follows the flocks of these birds when on their migrations. 



When shot at and wounded, it tries to escape by long and quickly 

 repeated leaps, and, if not closely pursued, soon conceals itself. Should 

 it happen to fall on the water, it strikes powerfully with expanded wdngs, 

 and in this manner often reaches the shore, when it is not more than 

 twenty or thirty yards distant. It is capable of supporting life without 

 food for a long period. I have heard of some, which, in a state of con- 

 finement, had lived without much apparent distress for twenty days, al- 

 though I cannot vouch for the truth of such statements, which, however, 

 may be quite correct. They defend themselves in the manner usually 

 followed by other Eagles and Hawks, throwing themselves backwards, and 

 furiously striking with their talons at any object within reach, keeping 

 their bill open, and turning their head with quickness to watch the move- 

 ments of the enemy, their eyes being apparently more protruded than 

 when unmolested. 



It is supposed that Eagles live to a very great age, — some persons 

 have ventured to say even a hundred years. On this subject, I can only 

 observe, that I once found one of these birds, which, on being killed, 

 proved to be a female, and which, judging by its appearance, must have 

 been very old. Its tail and wing-feathers were so worn out, and of such 

 a rusty colour, that I imagined the bird had lost the power of moulting. 

 The legs and feet were covered with large warts, the claws and bill were 

 much blunted, it could scarcely fly more than a hundred yards at a time, 

 and this it did with a heaviness and unsteadiness of motion such as I 

 never witnessed in any other bird of the species. The body was poor and 

 very tough. The eye was the only part which appeared to have sustained 

 no injury. It remained sparkling and full of animation, and even after 



