274 
FALCO LEUCOCEPHALUS. 
raven are absurdly supposed to do ; nor are they aw® 1 *®, 
of the effects of spring- traps, as I have seen some 
them caught by these instruments. Their sight,, although* 
probably as perfect as that of any bird, is much affect® 
during a fall of snow, at which time they may 
approached without difficulty. 
“ The white-headed eagle seldom appears in vet' 
mountainous districts, but prefers the low lauds of “*/ 
sea shores, those of our large lakes, and the borders 0 
rivers. It is a constant resident in the United Stab* 
in every part of which it is to be seen. The roof* 
and breeding places of pigeons are resorted to by it, *® 
the purpose of picking up the young birds that happ 1 ' 1 
to fall, or the old ones when wounded. It seM 0 *?' 
however, follows the Hocks of these birds when on tb®* 
migrations. 
“ When shot at and wounded, it tries to escape by l oD J 
and quickly repeated leaps, and, if not closely purs"® ’ 
soon conceals itself. Should it happen to fall on 
water, it strikes powerfully with expanded wings, 
in this manner often reaches the shore, when it is **?. 
more than twenty or thirty yards distant. It is cap! 1 ® j 
of supporting life without food for a long period, 
have heard of some, which, in a state of contiuen 11 ’ 1 ' ' 
had lived without much apparent distress for tw*°x 
days, although I cannot vouch for the truth of s** 1 ? 
statements, which, however, may be quite corr*®^ 
They defend themselves in the manner usually folio" ® 
by other eagles and hawks, throwing themselves ba® 1 ’. 
wards, and furiously striking with their talons at »*v 
object within reach, keeping their hill open, and tW»*% 
their head with quickness to watch the movements , 
the enemy, their eyes being apparently more protrud® 
than when unmolested. 
“ It is supposed that eagles live to a very great ag®> ^ 
some persons have ventured to say even a hund®® 
years. On this subject, I can only observe, that I o u ®j 
found one of these birds, which, on being killed, p 1 ' 0 '^, 
to be a female, and which, judging’ by its appear 11 "®.’ 
must have been very old. Its tail and wing feath® 
