WHITE-HEADED EAGLE. 39 
.scattered round tlie tree, and the jjutrid smell of the nest may be distin- 
guished at the distance of several hundred yards. The young are at 
first covered with a thick, whitish, or cream-colored cotton}'- down ; they 
gradually become of a gray color, as their plumage develops itself, con- 
tinue of the brown gray until the third year, when the wljitc begins to 
make its appearance on the head, neck, tail-coverts and tail ; these, by 
the end of the fourth year, are completely wliite, or very slightly tinged 
with cream ; the eye also is at first hazel, but gradually brightens into 
a brillio-nt straw color, with the wliitc plumage of the head. Such at 
least was the gradual progress of this change, witnessed by myself, on a 
very fine specimen, brought up by a gentleman, a friend of mine, who 
for a considerable time believed it to be wliat is usually called the Gray 
Eagle, and was much surprised at the gradual metamorphosis. This 
Avill account for the circumstance, so frequently observed, of the Gray 
and Wliite-headed Eagle being seen together, both being iu fact the 
same species, in different stages of color, according to their difference 
of age. 
The flight of the Bald Eagle, when taken into consideration with the 
ardor and energy of his character, is noble and interesting. Sometimes 
the human eye can just discern him, like a minute speck, moving in slow 
curvatures along the face of the heavens, as if reconnoitring the earth 
at that immense distance. Sometimes he glides along in a direct hori- 
zontal line, at a vast height, with expanded and unmoving wings, till he 
gradually disapjjears in the distant blue ether. Seen gliding in easy cir- 
cles over the high shores, and mountainous cliff's, that tower above die 
Hudson and Susquehanna, he attracts the eye of the intelligent voya- 
ger, and adds great interest to the scenery. At the great cataract of 
Niagara, already mentioned, there rises from the gulf, into which the 
fall of the Horse-shoe descends, a stupendous column of smoke, or spray, 
reaching to the heavens, and moving off" in large black clouds, accord- 
ing to the direction of the wind, forming a very striking and majestic 
appearance. The Eagles are here seen sailing about, sometimes losing 
themselves in this thick column, and again reappearing in another 
place, with such ease and elegance of motion, as renders the whole truly 
sublime. 
High o'er the watery uproar, silent seen, 
Sailing sedate, in majesty serene, 
Now midst the pillared spray sublimely lost, 
And now, emerging, down the rapids tossed, 
Glides the Bald Eagle, gazing, calm and slow, 
O'er all the horrors of the scene below; 
Intent alone to sate himself with blood, 
From the torn victims of the raging flood. 
The White-headed Eagle is three feet long, and seven feet in extent ; 
the bill is of a rich yellow ; cere the same, slightly tinged with green ; 
