WHITE-HEADED EAGLE. 35 
numerous carcasses of squirrels, deer, bear, and various other animals, 
that, in their attempts to cross the river, above the falls, have been 
dragged into the current, and ^precipitated down that tremendous gulf ; 
where among the rocks that bound the rapids below, they furnish a rich 
repast for the Vulture, the Raven, and the Bqld Eagle, the subject of 
the present account. 
This bird has been long known to naturalists, being common to both 
continents ; and occasionally met with from a very high northern 
latitude, to the borders of the torrid zone, but cliielly in the vicinity 
of the sea, and alono- the shores and clilFs of our lakes and large rivers. 
Formed by nature for braving the severest cold ; feeding equally on 
the produce of the sea, and of the land ; possessing powers of flight, 
capable of outstripping even the tempests themselves; un awed by any- 
thing but man, and, from the ethereal heights to which he soars, looking 
abroad at one glance, on an immeasurable expanse of forests, fields, 
lakes and ocean, deep beloAV him ; he appears indifferent to the little 
localities of change of seasons ; as in a few minutes he can pass from 
summer to winter, from the lower to the hiixher regions of the atmo- 
sphere, the abode of eternal cold ; and thence descend at will to the 
torrid or the arctic regions of the earth. He is therefore found at all 
seasons in the countries he inhabits ; but prefers such places as have 
been mentioned above, from the great partiality he has for fish. 
In procuring these he displays, in a very singular manner, the genius 
and energy of his character, which is fierce, contemplative, daring and 
tyrannical ; attributes not exerted but on particular occasions ; but 
when put forth, overpowering all opposition. Elevated on a high dead 
limb of some gigantic tree, that commands a wide view of the neigh- 
boring shore and ocean, he seems calmly to contemplate the motions of 
the various feathered tribes that pursue their busy avocations below : 
the snow-white Gulls, slowly winnowing the air ; the busy Tringge, 
coursing along the sands ; trains of Ducks, streaming over the surface ; 
silent and watchful Cranes, intent and wading ; clamorous Crows, and 
all the winged multitudes that subsist by the bounty of this vast liquid 
magazine of nature. High over all these hovers one, whose action 
instantly arrests all his attention. By his wide curvature of Aving, and 
sudden suspension in air, he knows him to be the Fislt-Haivk settling over 
some devoted victim of the deep. His eye kindles at the sight, and 
balancing himself, with half-opened wings, on the branch, he watches 
the result. Down, rapid as an arrow from heaven, descends the distant 
object of his attention, the roar of its wings reaching the ear as it dis- 
appears in the deep, making the surges foam around ! At this moment 
the eager looks of the Eagle are all ardor ; and levelling his neck for 
flight, he sees the Fish-Hawk once more emerge, struggling with his 
prey, and mounting in the air with screams of exultation. These are 
