128 THE KING OF THE BIRDS. 
the air, he utters a scream of joy at having 
obtained his prize. 
But his triumph does not last long. The 
pinions of the eagle cleave the air. He gives 
chase ; and the hawk, knowing what is about 
to befall him, darts upwards and upwards, 
and tries to keep over his enemy's head. The 
eagle mounts upwards too, and the struggle 
begins in earnest. The birds wheel round 
and round like two skilful warriors, the 
hawk parrying the attacks of the eagle, and 
both performing a series of graceful manoeuvres. 
But the hawk has the fish in his talons, and 
the eagle has nothing to carry ; so the eagle 
gains on his opponent, and comes close up to 
him. Another moment, and he will seize him. 
Then the hawk thinks only of his life ; and 
uttering a scream of despair, he drops the fish. 
This is just what the eagle wants him to do. He 
poises himself a moment, then darts upon it, 
catches it as it falls, and flies away with it to 
his nest. 
The fishermen on the coast watch these 
contests with interest. Their sympathies are 
on the side of the hawk, w^ho is a great 
favourite of theirs. He is the herald of the 
