270 
WILD SCENES AND SONG-BIKDS. 
persevered, however, ten liours in all, wlien finding that the 
charcoal fames would not produce the desired effect, I re- 
tired to rest wearied and disappointed. 
" Early next morning I tried the charcoal anew, adding to 
it a quantity of sulphur, but we were nearly driven from our 
home in a few hours by the stifling vapors, while the noble 
bird continued to stand erect, and to look defiance at us 
whenever we approached his post of martyrdom. His fierce 
demeanor precluded all internal application, and at last I 
was compelled to resort to a method always used as the last 
expedient, and a most effectual one. I thrust a long-pointed 
piece of steel through his heart, when my proud prisoner 
instantly fell dead, without even ruffling a feather. 
"I sat up nearly the whole of another night to outline 
Mm, and worked so constantly at the drawing, that it nearly 
cost me my life. I was suddenly seized with a spasmodic 
affection, that much alarmed my family, and completely 
prostrated me for some days ; but, thanks to my heavenly 
Preserver, and the immediate and unremitting attention of 
my most worthy friends, Drs. Parkman, Shattuck, and 
Warren, I was soon restored to health, and enabled to pur- 
sue my labors. The drawing of this Eagle took me fourteen 
days, and I had never before labored so incessantly except- 
ing at that of the Wild Turkey." 
Ah, what an insight have we here of the patient, careful 
processes and unsparing self-devotion of the Art-Naturalist ! 
Think ! — fourteen days of such ardent and unceasing labor 
as to bring the strong man near to the grave ! — and all to 
draw a single bird. Ye stupid contemners of such lowly 
themes" as the Art-Iiaturalist chose, think of this! — and 
remember it was thus he won his illustrious name among 
the Eagle-men of Earth ! 
This incessant and hurried labor was rendered necessary 
by the fact, that the plumage and skin of the dead specimen 
rapidly lose both color and gloss ! What an image of seem- 
ingly unconquerable vitality is that of the Eagle on its perch, 
