EAGLE LIFE 



A PERCH on a tall tree, standing higher than its fel- 

 lows on some rugged hill or mountain-side, with all 

 his surroimdings — trees, rocks and waters — express- 

 ing majesty and strength — with all his chosen environment 

 in perfect harmony with the spirit of the bird, the eagle seems 

 eminently worthy of all the honor given to him by the an- 

 cients, and of being exalted above all feathered creatures. 

 His chosen perch, the tree on which he rests, is an expression 

 of his staunch, uncompromisiiig nature. 



From his high watch-tower there, what wonders does 

 he see! The making of each new day — and its passing; and 

 the great mountains Avith their upthrust peaks and their 

 quiet valleys between, changing with the successive seasons 

 and with every passing mood of the sky. No long hours 

 of laborious toiling up a pathless mountain-side for him 

 that he may view a scene of grandeur; such views as mortals 

 are permitted to see but once or twice in a lifetime — ^perhaps 

 never' — are spread out before him always. He sees the dawn 

 rising from the purpled east and striking every cloud with 

 gold and crimson and rosy purple, while the waters below 

 multiply their lights and colors till the whole world is suf- 

 fused and aglow. At noonday he gazes with vmflinchrng 

 eye at a scorching sun, under whose glance the grasses burn 

 and curl up on the plains below, and later in the day he sees 



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