57 
WHITE-HEADED OR BALD EAGLE. 
Haliaetus leucocephalus, Linn. 
PLATE XIV. — Male 
The figure of this noble bird is well known throughout the civilized 
world, emblazoned as it is on our national standard, which waves in the 
breeze of every clime, bearing to distant lands tbe remembrance of a great 
people living in, a state of peaceful freedom. May that peaceful freedom 
last for ever ! 
The great strength, daring, and cool courage of the White-headed Eagle, 
joined to his unequalled power of flight, render him highly conspicuous, 
among his brethren. To these qualities did he add a generous disposition 
towards others, he might be looked up to as a model of nobility. The 
ferocious, overbearing, and tyrannical temper which is ever and anon dis- 
playing itself in his actions, is, nevertheless, best adapted to his state, and 
was wisely given him by the Creator to enable him to perform the office 
assigned to him. 
The flight of the White-headed Eagle is strong, generally uniform, and 
protracted to any distance, at pleasure. Whilst travelling, it is entirely sup-, 
ported by equal easy flappings, without any intermission, in as far as I have 
observed it, by following it with the eye or the assistance of a glass. When 
looking for prey, it sails with extended wings, at right angles to its body, 
now and then allowing its legs to hang at their full length. Whilst sailing, 
it has the power of ascending in circular sweeps, without a single flap of the 
wings, or any apparent motion either of them or of the tail ; and in this 
manner it often rises until it disappears from the view, the white tail remain- 
ing longer visible than the rest of the body. At other times, it rises only a 
few hundred feet in the air, and sails off in a direct line, and with rapidity. 
Again, when thus elevated, it partially closes its wings, and glides down- 
wards for a considerable space, when, as if disappointed, it suddenly checks 
its career, and resumes its former steady flight. When at an immense 
height, and as if observing an object on the ground, it closes its wings, and 
glides through the air with such rapidity as to cause alpud rustling sound, 
not unlike that produced by a violent gust of wind passing amongst the 
branches of trees. Its fall towards the earth can scarcely be followed by 
the eye on such occasions, the more particularly that these falls or glid 
ings through the air usually take place when they are least expected. 
Yol. I. 9 
