88 



NORTH AMERICA. 



The Cachalot or Spermaceti Whale {Physeter macrocephalus) is found in the nortnern seas. 



These animals are often 

 seen in herds of 200, and, 

 when attacked by nu>n in 

 boats, 10 or 12 are some- 

 times killed. The Small- 

 eyed or Black-headed Sper- 

 maceti JVhale is one of the 

 most formidable monsters 

 of the deep. It is more 

 than 50 feet in length, and 

 Spermaceti Whale. is uncommonly active. The 



JWiru'hal or Sea Unicorn 



IS provided with a most formidable weapon on the left side of the jaw. This is peii'ectly 

 straight, and as thick as the small of a man's leg ; it is whiter and harder than ivory. This 

 whale, however, is perfectly peaceful and harmless, and is generally seen in herds. The 

 Greenland whale fishery has much declined of late, the fishermen having been more successful 

 in the southern Atlantic Ocean, and the Pacific. 



Seals. The Common Seal frequents the seacoast perhaps throughout the world, but is 

 most numerous in high northern latitudes, and is of the greatest use to the Esquimaux and 

 other inhabitants of those frigid regions, furnishing them with all the necessaries of life. It 

 feeds on fish, crabs, and birds. These creatures are taken in immense numbers by the Esqui- 

 maux and by sealers who go out for the purpose. The Hooded Seal is found on the shores of 

 Greenland, Davis's Straits, and sometimes of Newfoundland. It is distinguished by a singular 

 appendage which it has on the head, formed by an extension of the skin, and elevated or de- 

 pressed at the pleasure of the animal. It is not determined of what use this hood may be. 

 The Great Seal resembles the common seal in habits and general appearance, but may be dis- 

 tinguished from it by its great size and large, beard-like whiskers. It is very timid and watchful, 

 and difficult of approach. The Harp Seal frequents deep bays, and the shores of iXewi'ound- 

 land. It is seen in large herds, and is very frolicsome. It yields a greater proportion of pure 

 oil than is obtained from any other seal. The Esquimaux n)ake great use of its skin. The 

 Fetid Seal frequents fixed ice, and never relinquishes its old haunts. It is very solitary, and 

 not at all timid. The Ursine Seal is found upon the shores of the islands between America 

 and Kamschatka in vast herds. They are very indolent and seldom move from their station on 

 land, but they swim with great rapidity, and remain under water for a great length of time. 



11. Birds. In the following sketch 

 of the birds of North America, only 

 some of the most characteristic animals 

 of this order can be mentioned. 



The Bald Eagle (Fulco leucoccpha- 

 lus) is common along the coast, and par- 

 ticularly frequents the borders of the 

 great lakes. Wilson thus describes it. 

 " This distinguished bird has been long 

 known to naturalists, being common to 

 both continents, and occasionally met 

 with from a very high northern latitude to 

 the borders of the torrid zone, but chiefly 

 in the vicinity of the sea, and along the 

 shores and clifls of our lakes and large 

 rivers. Formed by nature for bearing 

 the severest cold ; feeding equally upon 

 the produce of the sea and the land ; 

 possessing powers of flight capable of outstripping even the tempests themselves ; unawed by 

 any thing but man ; and from the ethereal height to which he soars, looking abroad, a1: one 

 glance, on an immeasurable expanse of forests, fields, lakes, and ocean, deep below him, 

 he appears indifferent to the change of seasons ; as in a few moments, he can pass from 

 summer to winter, from the lower to the higher regions of the atmosphere, the abode of eternal 



The Bald Eagle. 



