88 
BIRDS 
hurtles across the fields, and in an in¬ 
stant you see him quietly perched upon 
some low tree or decayed stub in a swamp 
or meadow, with reminiscences of frogs 
and mice stirring in his maw. 
* When the south-wind blows, it is a 
study to see three or four of these air- 
kings at the head of the valley far up 
toward the mountain, balancing and os¬ 
cillating upon the strong current; now 
quite stationary, except a slight tremu¬ 
lous motion like the poise of a rope- 
dancer, then rising and falling in long 
undulations, and seeming to resign them¬ 
selves passively to the wind; or, again, 
sailing high and level far above the 
mountain's peak,—no bluster and haste, 
but, as stated, occasionally a terrible 
earnestness and speed. Fire at him as he 
♦ sails overhead, and, unless wounded 
badly, he will not change his course or 
gait. 
His flight is a perfect picture of re¬ 
pose in motion. He might sleep or dream 
in that level, effortless, aimless sail. It 
strikes the eye as more surprising than 
the flight of the Pigeon and Swallow 
