THE BIRD OF WASHINGTON. 265 
U Ur ? c * > ts independence is next to my heart. He had 
utility of mind, and a generosity of soul, such as are 
:? <lrj 'n possessed. He was brave, so is the eagle ; like 
he was the terror of his foes ; and his fame, 
.Ending from pole to pole, resembles the majestic 
of the mightiest of the feathered tribe. If 
L^oa has reason to be proud of her Washington, so 
s he to be proud of her great eagle. 
In the month of January following, I saw a pair of 
|ii" Se eagles Hying over the falls of the Ohio, one in 
vhiit of the other. The next day I saw them again, 
h* female had relaxed her severity, had laid aside 
tk Coyness, and to a favourite tree they continually 
jkjHed. ] | )urs ued them unsuccessfully for several 
J s > when they forsook the place, 
a The flight of this bird is very different from that of 
s' " hite-headed eagle. The former encircles a greater 
C*. whilst sailing, keeps nearer to the land and the 
of the -water, and when about to dive for fish, 
e)) * ’n a spiral manner, as it with the intention of 
hill ’'S' au y retreating movement which its prey 
dj s 5 1 f attempt, darting upon it only when a few yards 
The fish-hawk often does the same. When 
CJtf with a fish, the bird of Washington flies to a 
v^derable distance, forming, in its line of course, a 
\|f acute angle with the surface line of the water. 
I,; , last opportunity of seeing this bird, was on the 
Cjf ‘of November, 1821, a few miles above the mouth 
Ohio, when two passed over our boat, moving 
11 the river with a gentle motion. In a letter 
if, 1 ! a kind relative, Mr W. Bakewell, dated ‘ Falls 
ft.) !° Ohio, July, 1819,’ and containing particulars 
’L, to the swallow-tailed hawk, (Falco Jurcotus^) 
II gentleman says: — ‘ Yesterday, for the first time, 
opportunity of viewing oneof those magnificent 
C> Which yon call the sea eagle, as it passed low 
V m, ‘> whilst fishing. I shall be really glad when I 
tf; t *8*in have the pleasure of seeing your drawing 
" Whilst in Philadelphia, about twelve months ago, I 
