THE GREAT HARPY EAGLE. THE BALD, OR WHITE-HEADED SEA EAGLE. 93 



THE GREAT HARPY EAGLE. THE BALD, OR WHITE-HEADED SEA 



EAGLE. 



IN THE COLLECTION' OF MR. CROSS, ROYAL MEWS, CHARING CROSS. 



The eagle has generally been considered by mankind as holding the same fabulous or imaginary 

 dominion over the birds which has been attributed to the lion over quadrupeds. JBuffon, adopting 

 this idea, is also of opinion that the eagle and the lion have many points of resemblance, both physical 

 and moral. Magnanimity, he says, is equally conspicuous in both : they despise the small animals, 

 and disregard their insults. It is only after a series of provocations, after being teased with the noisy 

 or harsh notes of the raven or magpie, that the eagle determines to punish the temerity or the insolence 

 of these birds with death. Besides, both disdain the possession of the property which is not the fruit 

 of their own industry, rejecting with contempt the prey which is not procured by their own exertions. 

 Both are remarkable for their temperance : the eagle seldom devours the whole of his game, but, like 

 the lion, leaves the fragments and offals to other animals. 



The eyes of the eagle have the glare of those of the lion, and are nearly of the same colour : the 

 claws are of the same shape ; the organs of sound are equally powerful, and the cry equally 

 terrible. It must, however, be observed that, notwithstanding the assertion on the part of Buffon and 

 other naturalists, the voice of the lion and the eagle will not bear any comparison. The one is a deep 

 and dreadful bass, the other a piercing treble, altogether destitute of majesty. 



It is impossible to tame the eagle unless he be caught in his infancy. We are, however, informed 

 by certain writers that the eagle was anciently used in falconry, although this practice is now laid 

 aside, for he is too heavy to be carried on the hand ; nor is he ever rendered so tame or so gentle as 

 to remove all suspicions of danger. His bill and claws are crooked and formidable ; his figure corre- 

 sponds with his instinct ; his body is robust ; his legs and wings are strong ; his flesh is hard ; his 

 bones are firm ; his feathers stiff; his attitude bold and erect ; his movements quick ; his flight rapid. 

 He rises higher in the air than any other' of the winged race : he can distinguish objects at an immense 

 distance, but his power of smell is inferior to that of the vulture. By means of his exquisite sight he 

 pursues his prey, and when he has seized it, he checks his flight, and places it upon the ground to 

 examine its weight, before he carries it off. Though his wings are vigorous, yet, his legs being stiff, 

 it is with difficulty he can rise, especially if he be loaded. He is able to bear away geese and cranes, 

 and also carries off hares, lambs, and kids. When he attacks fawns or calves, he instantly gluts him- 

 self with their blood and flesh, and afterwards transports their mangled carcasses to his nest. 



In regard to the harpy eagle, its generic characters and habits differ so little from the eagle of the 

 Andes, described in page 55 of this work, that any further detail may be deemed superfluous; but, 

 respecting the bald or white-headed sea eagle, some very interesting accounts have been transmitted 

 to us by Mr. Wilson, who, speaking of that bird, says, " Elevated on the high, dead limb of some 

 gigantic tree, that commands a wide view of the neighbouring shore and ocean, he seems calmly to 

 contemplate the motions of the various feathered tribes, that pursue their busy avocations below : the 

 snow-white gulls slowly winnowing the air ; the busy tringse coursing along the sands ; trains of 

 ducks streaming over the surface ; silent and watchful cranes — intent and wading ; clamorous crows 



