WASHINGTON EAGLE AND FISH-HAWK. 
305 
entitle it to tlie universal sympatliy wliicli it commands from 
mankind. Wilson gives a fine instance in point. 
" A pair of these birds, on the south side of Great Egg Har. 
bor river, and near its mouth, were noted for several years. 
The female, having but one leg, was regularly furnished, 
while sitting, with fish in such abundance that she seldom 
left the nest, and never to seek food. This kindness was 
continued both before and after incubation. Some animals, 
who claim the name and rationality of man, might blush at 
the recital of this fact." 
Audubon also gives another example of the strength and 
beautity of this conjugal feeling in his noble paper on this 
bird. He says: 
'^The male assists in incubation, during the continuance 
of which the one bird supplies the other with food, although 
each in turn goes in quest of some for itself. At such times 
the male bird is now and then observed rising to an immense 
height in the air, over the spot where his mate is seated. This 
he does by ascending almost in a direct line, by means of 
continued flappings, meeting the breeze with his white 
breast, and occasionally uttering a cackling kind of note, by 
which the bystander is enabled to follow him in his progress. 
When the Fish-Hawk has attained its utmost elevation, 
which is sometimes such that the eye can no longer perceive 
him., he utters a loud shriek, and dives smoothly on half-ex- 
tended wings toward his nest. But before he reaches it, he 
is seen to expand his wings and tail, and in this manner he 
glides toward his beloved fem.ale, in a beautifully curved 
line. The female partially raises herself from her eggs, enjits 
a low cry, resumes her former posture, and her dehghted 
partner flies ofP to the sea, to seek a favorite fish for lier 
whom he loves." 
If there was ever anything more tender and graceful than 
this little scene in the love-making of arrogant humanity, 1 
have it yet to see. The harmlessness of its pursuits and 
habits, its many traits of fidelity and courage in its family re- 
20 
