ned 
BALD EAGLE. 83 
and so deadened his enthusiasm, that he saw with indif- 
ference myriads of aquatic birds passing before him as 
they descended the river. All at once an Eagle flew 
above his head; he raised himself up and knew at the 
first glance that it was to him a new species. He im- 
mediately disembarked, and saw the Eagle directing its 
flight to some high rocks. Next morning he fixed 
himself opposite the place, and waited patiently for a 
sight of this bird. After some hours of expectation 
he heard a hissing noise, and saw at the edge of the 
most elevated point of the rock two birds agitated with 
signs of impatience and joy. These were the Eaglets 
welcoming the return of their parents: the father appeared 
first, holding im his beak a fish, which he carried to his 
young ones; then the mother came also with a fish; but 
more prudent than her companion, she looked round in 
defiance, and perceived the man immoyeable on the sur- 
face of the rock. She immediately let fall her prey, and 
began to fly round above him screaming, to send him 
off. The young having concealed themselves, Audubon 
picked up the fish, which was a large perch. He came 
the next day but saw nothing. Again the following 
morning, and waited all day, but his invasion had been 
foreseen, and the family had changed quarters. Two 
years afterwards he shot a specimen, and named it A. 
Washingtonu. The following winter he was able to 
observe at his leisure the habits of another pair of these 
birds.” 
The Bald Eagle nests on the escarpments of rocks, 
and, according to Nilson, on the largest and highest 
trees.. Degland says it lays two eggs, which are white 
or a yellowish grey, more or less dark, with some few 
slightly apparent reddish grey spots. The interior of 
the egg shell is of a beautiful grass green. 
