At the Water's Edge 



famous, suggests the annoyance incident to over- 

 sensitive sensibilities. 



Not a water fowl, but commonly found near 

 the coast, or on the shore of our larger lakes 

 and streams, is the bald eagle. There is no 

 other creature that awakens just the sentiment 

 that is aroused by this, our grandest bird of 

 prey. This class of birds, in every aspect of 

 their life, is isolated from all others. From 

 their personality, habits, and habitat, they ap- 

 peal to a certain poetic feeling which, with- 

 out gauging its comparative excellence, is re- 

 markably distinct from that inspired by any 

 other class of animals. Setting aside the owls 

 — nocturnal birds of prey — which are half un- 

 canny, half ridiculous, the very names of eagle, 

 vulture, condor, hawk, and kite, excite a feel- 

 ing that is curiously compounded of immense 

 admiration and deep contempt. They are like 

 some monstrous and destructive energy in nat- 

 ure, from which we instinctively recoil, but to 

 which, at the same time, we are instinctively 

 drawn ; as incapable of being loved as icebergs, 

 storms, or volcanoes; but with an aspect of sub- 

 limity, in varying degree, quite unapproachable 

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