CXCVl 
LIFE OF WILSON. 
self around the cage in all the ecstasy of enthusiasm, seeming 
not only to sing, but to dance, keeping time to the measure of 
his own music. Both in his native and domesticated state, du- 
ring the solemn stillness of night, as soon as the moon rises in 
silent majesty, he begins his delightful solo; and serenades us 
with a full display of his vocal powers, making the whole neigh- 
bourhood ring with his inimitable medley. ” 
I will give but one example more of our author’s descriptive 
powers, and that will be found in his history of the Bald Eagle. 
As a specimen of nervous writing, it is excellent; in its imagery, 
it is unsurpassed; and in the accuracy of its detail, it transcends 
all praise. 
“ This distinguished bird, as he is the most beautiful of his 
tribe in this part of the world, and the adopted emblem of our 
country, is entitled to particular notice. He has been long 
known to naturalists, being common to both continents, and oc- 
casionally met with from a very high northern latitude, to the 
borders of the torrid zone, but chiefly in the vicinity of the sea, 
and along the shores and clifis of our lakes and large rivers. 
Formed by nature for braving the severest cold; feeding equal- 
ly on the produce of the, sea, and of the land; possessing pow- 
ers of flight capable of outstripping even the tempests them- 
selves; unawed by any thing but man; and from the ethereal 
heights to which he soars, looking abroad, at one glance, on an 
immeasurable expanse of forests, fields, lakes and ocean, deep 
below him ; he appears indifferent to the little localities of change 
of seasons; as in a few minutes he can pass from summer to 
winter, from the lower to the higher regions of the atmosphere, 
the abode of eternal cold; and thence descend at will to the 
torrid or the arctic regions of the earth. He is therefore found 
at all seasons in the countries which he inhabits; but prefers 
such places as have been mentioned above, from the great par- 
tiality he has for fish. 
“ In procui’ing these he displays, in a very singular manner, 
the genius and energy of his character, which is fierce, contem- 
plative, daring and tyrannical: attributes not exerted but on 
