RING-TAILED EAGLE. 
305 
reduced to one-third the size of life, is strongly characteristic 
of its original. With respect to the habits of the species, such 
particulars only shall be selected as are well authenticated, 
rejecting whatever seems vague, or savours too much of the 
marvellous. 
This noble bird, in strength, spirit, and activity, ranks 
among the first of its tribe. It is found, though sparingly 
dispersed, over the whole temperate and arctic regions, parti- 
cularly the latter ; breeding on high precipitous rocks, always 
preferring a mountainous country. In its general appearance, 
it has great resemblance to the Golden Eagle, from which, 
however, it differs in being rather less, as also in the colours 
and markings of the tail, and, as it is said, in being less noisy. 
When young, the colour of the body is considerably lighter, 
but deepens into a blackish brown as it advances in age. 
The tail-feathers of this bird are highly valued by the 
various tribes of American Indians, for ornamenting their 
calumets, or pipes of peace. Several of these pipes, which 
were brought from the remote regions of Louisiana, by 
kept alive in various parts of Britain, have set the question completely at 
rest. The Ring-tail is the young of the first year, and as such is correctly 
figured by our author. In a wild state, three years are required to complete the 
clouded barring, the principal mark of the adults, and which, even after that 
period, increase in darkness of colour. When kept in confinement, the change is 
generally longer in taking place ; and I have seen it incomplete at six years. 
It commences by an extension of the bar at the end of the tail, and by 
additional cloudings on the white parts, which increase yearly until perfected. 
This bird does not seem very common in any part of America, and is even 
more rarely met with in the adult plumage. It was found on the borders of the 
Rocky Mountains by the overland arctic expedition, and is known also on the 
plains of the Saskatchewan. 
The noble bearing and aspect of the Eagles and Falcons, have always asso- 
ciated them, among rude nations, and in poetical comparisons, with the true 
courage of the warrior, and the magnanimity of the prince or chief. The 
young Indian warrior glories in his Eagle’s plume, as the most honourable 
ornament with which he can adorn himself ; the dress of a Highland Chieftain 
is incomplete without this badge of high degree. The feathers of the War 
Eagle are also used at the propitiatory sacrifices, and so highly are they 
prized, that a valuable horse is sometimes exchanged for the tail of a single 
Eagle — Ed. 
& 
VOL. II. 
U 
