EAGLES AND ART. 
259 
gently along, while approacliing winter brings millions of 
water-fowl on whistling wings, from the countries of the 
north, to seek a milder climate in which to sojourn for a sea- 
son. The Eagle is seen perched in an erect attitude, on the 
highest summit of the tallest tree, by the margin of the broad 
stream. His glistening but stern eye looks over the vast ex- 
panse. He listens attentively to every sound that comes to his 
quick ear from afar, glancing now and then on the earth be- 
neath, lest even the light tread of the fawn may pass unheard. 
His mate is perched on the opposite side, and should all be 
tranquil and silent, warns him by a cry to continue patient. 
At this well-known call, the male partly opens his broad 
wings, inclines his body a little downwards, and answers to 
her voice in tones not unlike the laugh of a maniac. The 
next moment he resumes his erect attitude, and again all 
around is silent. Ducks of many species, the teal, the widgeon, 
the mallard and others, are seen passing with great rapidity, 
and following the course of the current ; but the Eagle heeds 
them not : they are at that time beneath his attention. The 
next moment, however, the wild, trumpet-like sound of a 
yet distant but approaching swan is heard. A shriek from 
the female Eagle comes across the stream — for, kind reader, 
she is fully as alert as her mate. The latter suddenly shakes 
the whole of his body, and with a few touches of his bill, 
aided by the action of his cuticular muscles, arranges his 
plumage in an instant. The snow-white bird is now in sight : 
her long neck is stretched forward, her eye is on the watch, 
vigilant as that of her enemy ; her large wings seem with 
diflS.culty to support the weight of her body, although tliey 
flap incessantly. So irksome do her exertions seem, that her 
very legs are spread beneath her tail, to aid her in her fliglit. 
She approaches, however. The Eagle has marked her for 
his prey. As the swan is passing the dreaded pair, starts 
from his perch, in full preparation for the chase, the male 
bird, with an awful scream, that to the swan's ear brings more 
terror than the report of the large duck-gun. 
