THE GOLDEN EAGLE. 33 
prey, he disdains to feed upon carrion. Like 
the lion, also, he is solitary ; the inhabitant of 
a desert, over which he reigns supreme, ex- 
cluding all the other birds from his silent do- 
main. It is perhaps even more uncommon to 
see two pairs of eagles in the same tract of 
mountain, than two families of lions in the 
same part of the forest. They separate from 
each other at such wide intervals, as to afford 
ample range for subsistence; and esteem the 
value and extent of their domain to consist in 
the abundance of prey with which it is replen- 
ished. The eyes of the Eagle have the glare 
of those of the lion, and are nearly of the same 
colour ; the claws are of the same shape ; the 
organs of sound are equally powerful, and the 
cry equally terrible. Destined, both of them, 
for war and plunder, they are alike bold, fierce, 
and untractable. It is impossible to tame them, 
unless they be caught in their infancy.” It may 
be allowed that this parallel holds good in all 
its points but one, that which respects the voice 
of the Eagle, which is a piercing treble, pos- 
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