OUR HOME BIRDS. 
227 
ing in a swamp and almost impossible of ascent. The 
nest is large and clumsily constructed, and, instead of 
being rebuilt, is added to every year until it becomes 
a black, prominent mass that is visible at quite a dis- 
tance. It is made of large sticks, sods, earthy rub- 
bish, hay, and moss. Not more than two or three 
eggs are found at once, and the young are said to 
hatch at different times. 
“ The bald eagle is said to have a strong attach- 
ment for its young, providing so abundantly for them 
that quantities of fish and other food will lie scatter- 
ed around the tree containing the nest, causing an 
odor that prevents one from approaching within sev- 
eral hundred yards of it. A large dead pine tree, on 
w 7 hich v T as a bald eagle’s nest with young in it, was 
on fire more than halfway up, and the flames rapidly 
ascending, when the mother-bird darted in and around 
them until her plumage was so much injured she could 
scarcely make her escape, while even then she several 
times tried to get back and rescue her little ones. 
“ In the Song of Moses the inspired writer says : 
‘ As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her 
young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, 
beareth them on her wings ; so the Lord alone did 
lead him, and there was no strange god with him.’ 
It has been said, in reference to these beautiful words, 
that the parent-bird teaches the young to fly by drop- 
