92 
WHITE-HEADED, OR BALD EAGLE. 
the Falls, have been dragged into the current, and precipitated 
down that tremendous gulf, where, among the rocks that 
bound the Rapids below, they furnish a rich repast for the 
Meekeeshew, or Eepeeshim, or Eagle month. It appears also migratory every 
where to the north ; it was not met with to the north of the Great Slave 
Lake, lat. 62° N. although it is common in the summer in the country lying 
between that and Lake Superior, and its breeding-places in the district 
are numerous. In the month of October, when the rivers are frozen over, 
it entirely quits Hudson’s Bay lands ; and it is only on the sea coasts that 
individuals can be then met with. 
In this place we must introduce another splendid Fishing Eagle, which, if 
ultimately proved to be an undescribed species, will stand as the Hceliceetus 
Washingtonii of Audubon. It has been first beautifully figured and described 
by that gentleman, and a specimen of it exists in the Academy of Philadelphia. 
Its immense siz;e, and some other differences, seem to keep it distinct from any 
species we are acquainted with, and it is most probably before this time proved to 
be new. We strongly suspect, however, that the state in which it is figured is 
not that of the adult plumage, and that this has yet to be found : we can only wish 
that its discoverer may be successful in his present arduous journey. It must 
be of very rare occurrence, three or four being all that Mr Audubon has ever 
found of it. We have transcribed the more essential parts of his description. 
From it there will be seen a difference in their habits from the White-headed 
bird, building and roosting on rocks ; and in their mode of fishing, which is 
performed like the Osprey. 
It was in February, 1814, that Mr Audubon first saw this bird, while on a 
trading voyage on the Upper Mississippi. He was assured that it was rare ; 
and, from the accounts he received, being convinced that it was unknown to 
naturalists, he felt anxious to learn its habits, and to discover in what particulars 
it differed from the rest of its genus. Mr Audubon did not again meet with 
it for some years, and his next meeting was partly accidental : he was engaged 
in collecting crayfish, and perceived, on the steep and rocky banks of the Ohio, 
the marks of the breeding-place of some bird of prey. His inquiries among 
the people in the neighbourhood led him to suppose that it was an Eagle, 
different from any of those known in America. He resolved to watch the nest ; 
and the following is the result : — 
“ In high expectation I seated myself about a hundred yards from the foot of 
the rock. Never did time pass more slowly. I could not help betraying the 
most impatient curiosity, for my hopes whispered it was a Sea Eagle’s nest. 
Two long hours had elapsed before the old bird made his appearance, which 
was announced to us by the loud hissings of the two young ones, which crawled 
to the extremity of the hole to receive a fine fish. I had a perfect view of this 
noble bird, as he held himself to the edging rock, hanging like the Barn, Bank, 
