264 
FALCO WASHINGTON!!. 
readiness, we reached the rock. Some posted themself 9 
at the foot, others upon it, but in vain. We passed t * 10 
entire day, without either seeing- or hearing an eagl e ’ 
the sagacious birds, no doubt, having anticipated *® 
invasion, and removed their young to new quarters. , 
“ I come at last to the day which I had so often a*® 
go ardently desired. Two years had gone by since th® 
discovery of the nest, in fruitless excursions; but *®? 
wishes were no longer to remain ungratified. 11 
returning from the little village of Henderson, to tl ,e 
house of Doctor Rankin, about a mile distant, I saw*® 
eagle rise from a small enclosure not a hundred yard” 
before me, where the Doctor had, a few days befo r ®j 
slaughtered some hogs, and alight upon a low t* 1 ®, 
branching over the road. I prepared my double- barrel®® 
piece, which I constantly carry, and went slowly ®*®j 
cautiously towards him. Quite fearlessly he await® 
my approach, looking upon me with undaunted ej e ‘ 
I fired, and he fell. Before I reached him, he W** 
dead. With what delight did I survey the magnified® 
bird ! Had the finest salmon ever pleased him as 
did me? — Never. I ran and presented him to a 1 -' 
friend, with a pride which they alone can feel, wb°’ 
like me, have devoted themselves from their earli® 8 ® 
childhood to such pursuits, and who have derived fr***® 
them their first pleasures. To others 1 must seem 10 
‘ prattle out of fashion.’ The Doctor, who was »" 
experienced hunter, examined the bird with m»*c® 
satisfaction, and frankly acknowledged he had ne'’®® 
before seen or heard of it. 
“ The name which 1 have chosen for this new spec*® 9 
of eagle, ‘ the bird of Washington,’ may, bv some, 
considered as preposterous and unfit ; but as it ,9 
indisputably the noblest bird of its genus that has V® r 
been discovered in the United States, I trust I shall be 
allowed to honour it with the name of one yet noble*’ 
who was the saviour of his country, and whose nan*® 
will ever be dear to it. To those who may be curio***’ 
to know my reasons, I can only say, that, as the ne" 
world gave me birth and liberty, the great man wl*° 
