STRANGE BIRDS AND THETR WAYS. 267 



Withal it is a determined freebooter, robbing other birds of 

 their prey. The character ascribed to the eagle differs 

 with the different stand-points of its obseryers. It has 

 strength, keenness of sight, and a majestic poise while on 

 the wing. It is self-reliant, and shows great attachment 

 for its young, and exhibits great courage in their defense. 

 All these qualities and characteristics take hold of the im- 

 agination, and give to the bird its ideal character. Viewed 

 from the stand-point of fair play and morality, however, 

 the eagle makes about as poor a show as the great Napoleon 

 when judged by a similar standard. 



3. We will hear first from the great ornithologist, Alex- 

 ander Wilson, whose life was devoted to the observation of 

 birds. In describing the eagle, he says : "Elevated on the 

 high, dead limb of some gigantic tree, that commands a 

 wide view of the neighboring shore and ocean, he seems 

 calmly to contemplate the motions of the various feathered 

 tribes that pursue their busy vocations below ; the snow- 

 white gulls slowly winnowing the air ; the busy tringse cours- 

 ing along the sands ; trains of ducks streaming over the 

 surface ; silent and watchful cranes, intent and wading ; 

 clamorous crows, and all the winged multitudes that subsist 

 by the bounty of this vast liquid magazine of Nature. High 

 over all these hovers one whose action instantly arrests all 

 his attention. By the wide curvature of wing, and sudden 

 suspension in air, he knows it to be the fish-hawk, settling 

 over some devoted victim of the deej:>. His eye kindles at 

 the sight, and, balancing himself with half-opened wings 

 on the branch, he watches the result. Down, rapid as an 

 arrow from heaven, descends the distant object of his atten- 

 tion ; the roar of its wings reaches the ear as it disappears 

 in the deep, making the surges foam around. 



4. "At this moment the eager looks of the eagle are all 

 ardor, and, leveling his neck for flight, he sees the fish- 

 hawk once more emerge, struggling with its prey, and 



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