Song Birds and Water Fowl 



has a good relish for a duck. At first I was 

 uncertain of the species, for bald and golden 

 eagles have much the same general appearance 

 at a distance ; but when one, in particular, of 

 these two specimens came into close range, I 

 could see the pure white tail and neck, which 

 are characteristic features of the bald eagle's 

 plumage. His companion was quite dark 

 throughout — I judged, the heir apparent, the 

 prince in his first year. 



The beholder sometimes almost feels a touch 

 of terror in this bird's vindictive silence j and 

 an eagle's scream, a ragged fracture of barbaric 

 sound, is probably the most discordant note 

 that ever pierces the empyrean. And who 

 would have it otherwise ? Not every state of 

 heart can be translated into song. Whoever 

 knows the butcher-bird will say that its coarse, 

 defiant cry is the only adequate expression of 

 its savage nature. Individuality is the most in- 

 teresting aspect of every object in creation ; 

 and this is possessed by the songless species as 

 fully as by any bird of melody. One may study 

 a villain as eagerly as he would a saint ; and 

 sometimes the villain has the best of it, in power 

 of sustaining the interest. A vice is as prolific 

 a text for thought as a virtue ; and the orni- 



