ma third. We stood spellbound, rooted to the spot. What 
llowed left us breathless with awed-delight. Without show- 
g fear, these three great birds performed an aerial ballet, 
e like of which we probably shall never see again. We 
ore so entranced that we lost track of time. There was little 
ed for binoculars, for we had seats in the loges. 
They soared high above us, then glided in so low over 
r heads that their bright legs and powerful talons were 
‘ite visible. Then, banking to clear the trees at the west 
tve of the valley, they would show us their white heads 
d tails, with that splendid expanse of wings. Spiraling to 
in altitude, they would glide in again. This went on and 
, until finally, one by one, they left us, going in the 
rection of the river where they would fish a little, because 
‘now it was late afternoon, the temperature had dropped, 
d they needed food for the energy to keep them warm 
rough the long winter night. 
With the reluctance one feels at the finale of any superb 
rformance, we, too, turned to leave. Along with the joy 
d exhilaration of our experience, there was a sense of 
dness, too. We realized that these magnificent birds are in 
eat danger of becoming extinct. Future generations may 
it have the privilege of viewing them as we did, but may 
> them only through the glass of a museum showcase, as 
2 now view our delicately-hued Passenger Pigeon and the 
tle Carolina Parakeet. When these extinct species were 
ve and beautifying the earth with their irridescent shades, 
e American Bald Eagle numbered approximately a million 
rds. Now his number is less than four thousand. 
The early settlers were so impressed with the majesty of 
e Bald Eagle that on September 20, 1782, the new Con- 
ess made him our national symbol. With his beautiful 
itspread wings he is our national seal; and in dress parade, 
bronze, he stands, wings extended, on the tip of the stan- 
td above the Stars and Stripes. This is the only time many 
rsons view him, for he is disappearing from the national 
ne, and will, if drastic steps are not taken to save him. It is 
ly a fortunate few who have seen him of recent years, soar- 
g in his great flights. Through thoughtful effort and tire- 
s diligence let us strive to keep him off the black list of 
ose species which will never again gladden the world with 
eir grace and beauty. 
May this noble bird ever return to our Illinois valley— 
Only to confirm our belief that there remains one bright 
ark in the souls of men; that in its preservation our pro- 
ny and their progeny may be able to look into the skies 
d view just a semblance of what used to be. 
— 1344 EF, Hillcrest Pl., Pecria 61603 
