384 
EAGLE. 
large scales* and armed with most formidable claws* 
the middle one on each foot being full two inches 
long. 
The sight and sense of smelling in the eagle is 
very acute ; his eyes are defended from too great a 
glare of light by a nictitating or winking mem- 
brane* which he can draw over them like a curtain 
at pleasure. This membrane is neither entirely 
opake nor pellucid* but is somewhat transparent* 
and it is constantly drawn over the eyes of the bird 
when he is said to gaze at the sun. 
The eagle is as much superior to the rest of the 
birds of the air, as the lion is to the other beasts of 
the field, and both are the acknowledged sovereigns 
of their respective situations. The eyes of the eagle 
have a glare like those of the lion* and resemble 
them in colour ; the claws are nearly of the same 
shape; and his voice is equally powerful* if we allow 
for the difference of size. “ Destined both of them 
for war and plunder,” saysBufFon* “they are equally 
fierce* equally bold, and intractable. It is impos- 
sible to tame them, unless they are caught when in 
their infancy. It requires much patience and art 
to train a young eagle for the chase ; and after he 
has attained to age and strength* his caprices and 
momentary impulses of passion are sufficient to 
create suspicions and fears in his master. Authors 
inform us* that the eagle was antiently used in the 
east for falconry; but this practice is now laid aside. 
He is too heavy to be carried on the hand without 
great fatigue* nor is he ever brought to be so tame 
