THE GOLDEN EAGLE. 199 
finding that the charcoal fumes would not pro 
duce the desired effect, I retired to rest, wearied 
and disappointed. arly next morning, I tried 
the charcoal anew, adding to it a quantity of 
sulphur, but we were nearly driven from our 
house in a few hours, by the stifling vapours, 
while the noble bird continued to stand erect, 
and look defiance at us whenever we approached 
his post of martyrdom. His fierce demeanour 
precluded all internal application, and at last 
I was compelled to resort to a method, always 
used as a last expedient, and a most effectual 
one. I thrust a long pointed piece of steel 
through his heart, when my proud prisoner in- 
.stantly fell dead, without even ruffling a feather.’ 
“T sat up nearly the whole of another night 
to outline him, and worked so constantly at the 
drawing, that it nearly cost me my life. I was 
suddenly seized with a spasmodic affection, that 
much alarmed my family, and completely pros- 
trated me for some days.” 
The golden eagle, which frequents the shores 
of the Hudson and the upper parts of the Mis- 
sissippi, was also seen by Audubon over the 
dreary heights of Labrador. 
Though it cannot, like the white-headed 
eagle, seize its prey when on wing, the keenness 
of its vision enables it to mark the desired object 
at a great distance, and driving through the air 
