Ralph De Sola, Federal Writers’ Project. 
AMERICAN EAGLE (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). 
Length: 3 feet. Range: North America. 
The American eagle is a bird of noble and stately 
appearance whose great strength permits sustained flight. 
However, the decision of Congress in 1782, to make him 
the national emblem of the United States met with 
strong opposition. Benjamin Franklin led this opposi¬ 
tion and characterized the bird as “a rank coward,” who 
lives by “sharping and robbing,” can be driven off by 
the “little king bird no bigger than a sparrow,” and “is 
therefore by no means a proper emblem for the brave 
and honest.” There has been a movement for several 
years to make the turkey our national bird. 
Caged eagles, like the one shown above, exhibit in 
their demeanor the most pitiful hopelessness. 
