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BALD EAGLE. 
Falco leucocephalus. 
L’aigle a tete blanche. 
Le Pyg argue. 
White headed Eagle. 
Bald Eagle. 
Lyn. Syst. i. p. 124 . No. 3. 
Bris. Orn. i. p. 4 2 2 . No. 
Buff. Ois. i. p. 9 9 . 
Z00/. i. p. 2^8. JVT 7 . 8 9 . 
Lath . G*w. i.j&. 29. JVi?. 3. 
This is a bird of singular courage and spirit ; it is three feet three 
inches long, and weighs nine pounds. It inhabits the northern parts of 
Europe and Asia, it is likewise met with at Nootka Sound, and Kamt- 
schatka, and is common in North America. It is called Wapaw-Ertequam- 
Meekesue at Hudson's Bay. 
It preys on lambs, fawns, pigs, and fish; the latter it cannot procure for 
itself, but fixing on a convenient situation for watching the motion ol the 
Osprey, the moment it perceives that bird has, by diving, seized a fish, 
it does not cease pursuing its prey, till the Osprey, of which it is the terror, 
drops its prize, which the Eagle seizes with astonishing dexterity in the air, 
before it can fall to the ground; and constantly attends the sportsman, and 
snatches lip the game he has shot, Before he can reach it, or reload his gun. 
It builds in the highest trees, preferring decayed cypresses, or pines, 
which hang over the sea, or some great river; it associates with Ospreys, 
Herons, and other birds, and forms its nest of a large size, upwards of six 
feet in width. Their nests are composed of sticks and grass, and are so 
numerous as to represent a rookery. It breeds very often, laying again 
under their callow brood, whose warmth assists to hatch the eggs. 
It is clear that this bird either is, or was formerly, an inhabitant 
Asia Minor. It is with a reference to its uncommon appearance, as well 
as to the customs of the Jews in their mourning, that the figuiative exp 
sions of an ancient Prophet may be understood : 4 6 Make thee bald , and p 
thee for thy delicate children : enlarge thy baldness as the Eagle, foi they 
gone into captivity from thee !” Micah, ch. i. ver. ! fi. 
