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cruel onsets of the eagle, for he knows that the latter 

 is too strong for him. This king of birds may be seen 

 in his haunts, sitting on the lofty branch of a dead 

 tree or crag, eyeing the country around a distance, 

 and when any victim is espied he screams and descends 

 upon them. This bird was so honored as to be selected 

 as the emblem of our country, and his likeness is stamp- 

 ed upon our principal coins. Benjamin Franklin, the 

 well-known American Statesman and Philosopher, 

 made objections to the selection of this bird for the 

 purpose, on account of its dishonest habits. Its nest 

 is a huge mass of sticks placed upon the flat top of a 

 high precipice or crag. Two eggs are laid, which are 

 large. The young are defended by savage bravery. 



WILD GOOSE. 



{Bernicla Canadensis.) 

 For the observance of the wild goose, you must watch 

 for them during the time of their spring and autumn 

 marches across the country. Generally they fly high 

 and in an angular line the shape of a V or L,but some- 

 times when they have been journeying long and are 

 weary, they fly in a confused manner, and come near 

 to the ground, when they may be captured with ease. 

 Sometimes when fired at while flying, some are occa- 

 sionally struck and fall to the ground. If not mortally 

 wounded they may be kept in company with other 

 fowls; but as sure as a flock of its old companions are 

 seen passing either way, they are taken with an irre- 

 sistible desire to rise and join them, and if not secured 

 will do so. They retire to the far north during the 

 season. 



