262 
WILD SCENES AND SONG-BIEDS. 
Here we have the Golden Eagle of course, for " golden 
feather " tells an unmistakable storj of its own. Eegarding 
it from the point of view of the Art-Naturalist, this certainly 
seems one of the closest approximations to the absolute cre- 
ativeness of Art to be found in all poetry. 
But the Golden Eagle did not furnish a symbol of freedom 
to mankind — with all the grandeur of ancient association, 
this the grandest and most noble has been yet denied. Al- 
though a most magnificent bird it is too sluggish on the wing 
— seeking Avith its feudal type " advantage of position " for 
its swoop ! — to be the satisfactory expression of that univer- 
sality of fiery, keen and boundless energy which belongs to 
the swift spirit of freedom, which has found its home here in 
the New World ! Of this the White-headed Eagle is the true 
emblem ! He asserts an empire of the Empyrean with the 
ruthless pride of a prodigal, indomitable strength in pinion, 
beak and claw ! To it there are no formulas of flight — no 
fixed modes of taking prey — all comes alike to its inexorable 
appetite and quick overcoming wings. Hear Audubon's de- 
scription of its varied powers of flight : 
" The flight of the White-headed Eagle is strong, generally 
uniform, and protracted to any distance, at pleasure. Whilst 
travelling, it is entirely supported by equal easy flappings, 
without any intermission, in as far as I have observed it, by 
following it with the eye or the assistance of a glass. When 
looking for prey, it sails with extended wings, at right angles 
to its body, now and then allowing its legs to hang at their 
full length. Whilst sailing, it has the power of ascending in 
circular sweeps, without a single flap of the wings, or any 
apparent motion either of them or of the tail ; and in this 
manner it often rises until it disappears from the view, the 
white tail remaining longer visible than the rest of the body. 
At other times, it rises only a few hundred feet in the air, 
and sails off in a direct line, and with rapidity. Again, when 
thus elevated, it partially closes its wings, and glides down- 
wards for a considerable space, when, as if disappointed, it 
