BALD EAGLE. 
29 
brightens into a brilliant straw colour, with the white 
plumage of the head. Such at least was the gradual 
progress of this change, witnessed by myself, on a very 
fine specimen brought up by a gentleman, a friend of 
mine, who, for a considerable time, believed it to be 
what is usually called the gray eagle, and was much 
surprised at the gradual metamorphosis. This will 
account for the circumstance, so frequently observed, 
of the gray and white-headed eagle being seen together, 
both being, in fact, the same species, in different stages 
of colour, according to their difference of age. 
The flight of the bald eagle, when taken into consi- 
deration with the ardour and energy of his character, is 
noble and interesting. Sometimes the human eye can 
just discern him, like a minute speck, moving in slow 
curvatures along the face of the heavens, as if recon- 
noitring the earth at that immense distance. Sometimes 
he glides along in a direct horizontal line, at a vast 
height, with expanded and unmoving wings, till he 
gradually disappears in the distant blue ether. Seen 
gliding in easy circles over the high shores and moun- 
tainous cliffs that tower above the Hudson and Susque- 
hanna, he attracts the eye of the intelligent voyager, and 
adds great interest to the scenery. At the great Cataract 
of Niagara, already mentioned, there rises from the 
gulf into which the Falls of the Horse- Shoe descends, a 
stupendous column of smoke, or spray, reaching to the 
heavens, and moving off in large black clouds, according 
to the direction of the wind, forming a very striking 
and majestic appearance. The eagles are here seen 
sailing about, sometimes losing themselves in this thick 
column, and again reappearing in another place, with 
such ease and elegance of motion, as renders the whole 
truly sublime. 
High o’er the watery uproar, silent seen, 
Sailing sedate in majesty serene, 
Now midst the pillar’d spray sublimely lost, 
And now, emerging, down the Rapids tost, 
Glides the bald eagle, gazing, calm and slow, 
O’er all the horrors of the scene below ; 
Intent alone to sate himself with blood, 
From the torn victims of the raging flood. 
