CCVIU 
LIFE OF WILSON. 
but prefers such places as have been mentioned above, from the 
great partiality he has for fish. 
“In procuring these he displays, in a very singular manner, 
the genius and energy of his character, which is fierce, contempla- 
tive, daring and tyrannical : attributes not exerted but on particu- 
lar occasions ; but when put forth, overpowering all opposition. 
Elevated upon a high dead limb of some gigantic tree, that com- 
mands a wide view of the neighbouring shore and ocean, he seems 
calmly to contemplate the motions of the various feathered tribes 
that pursue their busy avocations below ; the snow-white Gulls 
slowly winnowing the air; the busy Tringae coui'sing along the 
sands ; trains of Ducks streaming over the surface ; silent and 
watchful Cranes, intent and wading; clamorous Crows, and all the 
winged multitudes that subsist by the bounty of this vast liquid 
magazine of nature. High over all these hovers one, whose action 
instantly arrests all his attention. By his wide curvature of wing, 
and sudden suspension in air, he knows him to be the Fish-Hawk, 
settling over some devoted victim of the deep. His eye kindles at 
the sight, and balancing himself, with half-opened wings, on the 
branch, he watches the result. Down, rapid as an arrow from 
heaven, descends the distant object of his attention, the roar of its 
wings reaching the ear as it disappears in the deep, making the 
surges foam around. At this moment the looks of the Eagle are 
all ardour ; and levelling his neck for flight, he sees the Fish-Hawk 
emerge, struggling with his prey, and mounting into the air with 
screams of exultation. These are the signal for our hero, who, 
launching into the air, instantly gives chace, soon gains on the 
Fish-Hawk, each exerts his utmost to mount above the other, dis- 
playing in these rencontres the most elegant and sublime aerial 
evolutions. The unincumbered Eagle rapidly advances, and is 
just on the point of reaching his opponent, when with a sudden 
scream, probably of despair and honest execration, the latter drops 
his fish; the Eagle poising himself for a moment, as if to take a 
