272 
FALCO LEUCOCEPHALUS. 
it alights anti devours the filthy mass. A 
Indie** 
instauce of this took place near the city of Nate ^ 
on the Mississippi. Many vultures were engage 4 
devouring the body and entrails of a dead ho 
when a white-headed eagle accidentally passing j 
the vultures all took to wing, one among the t B 
with a portion of the entrails partly swallowed, an* ^ 
remaining part, about a yard in length, dangling 1 4 ^ 
air. The eagle instantly marked him, and gave ea* 
The poor vulture tried in vain to disgorge, when 1 
eagle, coming up, seized the loose end of the gut, ‘ 
dragged the bird along for twenty or thirty y a 1 
twenty 
both fell ... — „ eg, 
when the eagle struck the vulture, and in a e, 
moments killed it, after which he swallowed the 
much against its will, until both fell to the B TOI r*!,v 
cious morsel. . vjjJ 
“ I have heard of several attempts made by this ^ 
to destroy children, but have never witnessed Jjp 
myself, although I have little doubt of its having s 
dent daring to do so. 
“ The flight of the white-headed eagle is strong, S ^ e , 
rally uniform, and protracted to any distance at pl eaS .jl 
Whilst travelling, it is entirely supported by ‘' 1. 1 
easy flappings, without any intermission, in as 
have observed it, by following it with the eye, 01 j)j 
assistance of a glass. When looking for prey, >*■ 
with extended wings, at right angles to its body, ' ^ 
and then allowing its legs to hang at their full 
Whilst sailing, it has the power of ascending in cltl a pj 
sweeps, without a single flap of the wings, 01 
apparent motion either of them or of the tail ; aI 
this manner it often rises until it disappears fr° lU t [,c 
view, the white tail remaining longer visible tha 11 
rest of the body. At other times, it rises only 
hundred feet m the air, and sails oft 111 a dir cot h> y 
with rapidity. Again, when thus elevated, it p ar 
doses its wings, and glides downwards for a consK ^ jts 
space, when, as if disappointed, it suddenly cheo^ s t 
career, and reassumes its former steady flight. ’ $1 
an immense height, and as if observing an object 0 
