134 
THE EAGLE. 
very feathers they attach a respect amounting almost 
to religious veneration. 
There is an instrument, called the Calumet, or pipe 
of peace, which is used in their most solemn meet- 
ings, when they hold councils respecting peace or 
war; and when offered and accepted hy contending 
parties has the effect of the most solemn treaties 
and oaths of Christian people. This instrument is, 
in a part of America called Louisiana, ornamented 
with the feathers of a particularly beautiful and rare 
species of White Eagle, called the Conciliating Eagle*. 
In another part of America, called California, and 
indeed amongst many other tribes of that vast con- 
tinent, the Indians, when in their full dress, wear an 
Eagle’s feather fastened to the top of their heads as 
a mark of nobility. And, singularly enough, a 
similar custom prevailed, and on occasions of cere- 
mony still prevails, amongst the Highland chiefs of 
Scotland, handed down from time immemorial. 
The plume of the Erne, or great Sea Eagle t, being 
the distinguishing mark of the head of a clan, and 
even of the kings of Scotland. Many of our readers 
will doubtless remember the beautiful passage of 
Sir Walter Scott, in the Lady of the Lake , when 
Fitz James alone wore cap and plume , 
And Snowdown’s knight was Scotland’s king. 
These plumes, too, were also valued for another 
purpose J, that of garnishing their arrows ; the 
feathers of the Eagle never being injured hy rain or 
water as others are, but remaining always durable, 
firm, and incorruptible. 
* Falco conciliator. f Falco albicilla. 
$ See Lord Somers’s Tracts , vol. iii. 
