268 
FALCO LEUCOCEPHALUS. 
estimate of the descriptive powers of these two emi° e 
individuals : — i 
“ The fig ure of this nohle bird is well known throug^T) 
the civilized world, emblazoned as it is on our uati 0 ^ 
standard, which waves in the breeze of every if | 
bearing to distant lands the remembrance of a Pqhj 
people living in a state of peaceful freedom. May * 
peaceful freedom last for ever ! , u 
“ The great strength, daring, and cool courage o> ^ 
white-headed eagle, joined to his unequalled po" 
flight, render him highly conspicuous among his bretl'f 
io*. 
To these qualities, did be add a generous dispose. 
towards others, he might be looked up to as a rao& e .j 
nobility. The ferocious, overbearing, and tyra' 1 ' 11 . ^ 
temper which is ever and anon displaying itself ^ 
actious, is nevertheless best adapted to bis state* *,0 
was wisely given him by the Creator, to enable 1°°' 
perform the office assigned to him. 
“ To give you, kind reader, some idea of the natn 1 ■ 
tliis bird, permit me to place you on the Missis s, K 
on which you may float gently along, while approa*-. 1 r , 
winter brings millions of water fowl on whistling "’"'jjj 
from the countries of the north, to seek a milder cli*®'^ 
in which to sojourn for a season. The eagle is 
perched, in an erect attitude, on the highest suin' 111 ' ,, 
the tallest tree, by the margin of the broad stream : 
glistening but stern eye looks over the vast exp*®*^ 
He listens attentively to every sound that comes t* ^ 
quiek ear from afar, glancing now and then o° () .ji 
earth beneath, lest even the light tread of the *“V (j 
may pass unheard : Ilis mate is perched on the opp 0 j jji 
side, and, should all be tranquil and silent, warns i| 
by a cry to continue patient: At this well know 0 
the male partly opens his broad wings, inclines his 111 s 
^ t .... _ 7 
a little downwards, and answers to her voice i" 1 
not unlike the laugh of a maniac : The next mo" 0 j, 
he resumes his erect attitude, and again all aro°° ^ 
silent : Ducks of many species, the teal, the widest 
the mallard, and others, are seen passing with 
rapidity, and following the course of the current > 
