I. ACCIPITRES.-Birds of Prey.
II. INSESSORES.-Perching Birds.
III. SCANSORES.-Climbers.
IV. RASORES.-Gallinaceous Birds.
V. GRALLATORES.-Wading Birds.
VI. NATATORES.-Swimmers.

Each of these general divisions will form the subject of a chapter; and our attention is first directed to the Accipitres, or birds of prey. In this order are included the different varieties of eagles, vultures, hawks, buzzards, kites, and owls. They are, in general, not remarkable for beauty of plumage, and are distinguished by a strong, sharp bill, more or less curved. They feed on animal substances, subduing the weaker tribes by their superior strength. and are found in all parts of the

world. It is characteristic of birds of this general division that they seldom, if ever, associate in large flocks, and usually dwell in single pairs, and sometimes in solitude. It is also worthy of remark, that among the birds of this general division the females are handsomer, and generally larger, than the males. They occupy a similar place in the animal kingdom with lions, tigers, and the canine and feline races. Like the carnivorous quadrupeds, their temperament is sanguinary and ferocious, and their voices hoarse, shrill, or piercing.

To the Eagle, of which there are many varieties, we give the first place. He is known as the king of birds; and by the ancient Romans and Persians, as well as by France and our own country, he has been

selected as the national symbol. The impression on our American coins seems to have been designed for the head of what is known as the imperial eagle, (aquila heliaca.) It gives, however, a very inadequate idea of that majestic bird, and with the preposterous gridiron upon which he seems to be broiling, makes rather a fantastic appearance. Other varieties of the eagle are distinguished as the Golden, the White-headed, the Wedge-tailed, the

Caracara, and several others.

The White-headed Sea Eagle, of which we give a representation, (figure 1,) is seldom seen in Europe, but is found in all parts of North America. He seems to be fond of the vicinity of cataracts, great

settling over some devoted victim of the deep. His eye kindles at the sight, and, balancing himself with half-opened wings, he watches the result.

"Down, rapid as an arrow from heaven, descends the distant object of his attention, the roar of its wings reaching the ear as it disappears in the deep, making the surges foam around! At this moment the eager looks of the eagle are all ardor, and leveling his neck for flight, he sees the fish-hawk once more emerge, struggling with his prey, and mounting in the air with screams of exultation. These are the signals for our hero, who, launching into the air, instantly gives chase, and soon gains on the fish-hawk. Each exerts his utmost to mount above the other. The unencumbered eagle rap idly advances, and is just on the point of reaching his opponent, when, with a sudden scream, the latter drops his fish. The eagle, poising himself for a moment, as if to take a more certain aim, descends like a whirlwind, snatches

numbers being seen frequently about the Falls of Niagara. He is a terror to other birds, and, indeed, mainly obtains his living by robbery.

"Elevated," says Wilson, "on the high dead limb of some gigantic tree that commands a wide view of the neighboring shore and ocean, he seems calmly to contemplate the motions of the various feathered tribes that pursue their busy avocations below: the snow-white gulls slowly winnowing the air; trains of ducks

streaming over the surface; silent and watchful cranes, intent and wading; clamorous crows, and all the winged multitudes that subsist by the bounty of this vast liquid magazine of nature. High over all these hovers one whose action instantly arrests his attention. By his wide curvature of wing and sudden suspension in the air, he knows him to be the fish-hawk,

it ere it reaches the water, and bears his ill gotten booty silently away to the woods."

The tyrant, however, is not always so successful. Sometimes the fish-hawks unite, and fall upon him without mercy, and he is obliged to fly away into the woods. An account is given by an eyewitness of a contest between an eagle and a serpent, which we transcribe :

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In the month of August I was sailing up the Ohio river, when, as we approached a noted spot on the river, we were attracted by several loud screams. I looked above where the sound seemed to originate, and saw an eagle describing circles in the air in a most beautiful and graceful manner. As it wheeled round in its gyrations of mathematical precision, with outstretched but motionless wings, it ever and anon uttered the peculiar scream which first

drew my attention. While I was gazing in admiration at its elegant curves, it suddenly changed its motion, and descended with almost inconceivable velocity in a perpendicular line to the earth. It went down, as one of the passengers described it, like a dart.' Before we could express our astonishment, or give any opinion concerning its object, it again rose, and ascended to a great height, with a rapidity almost equal to that of its descent, bearing in its beak a large serpent! As it mounted up, the long body of the snake hung down from the beak of the eagle like the end of a large rope. It was not, however, lifeless. It writhed in every direction, and made strong efforts for its deliverance, but in vain; the eagle held him with a death grip.

"The serpent, resolving to sell its life as dearly as possible, endeavored to impede the flying of the bird, and by dint of hard struggling succeeded in getting its body over the back of the eagle.

"The feathered prince now became aware of his danger. His wings were his only means of safety if these became bound he must perish with his enemy. All his efforts, however, could not dislodge the snake. The wily serpent, anaconda-like, drew itself more and more tightly round him. It now had the advantage in the contest. The pinions of the eagle were pinioned. The snake, coiled like a rope round

the body of its adversary, was enabled completely to fetter its wings and stop its flight. The struggle ceased. The eagle was conquered! They both began to fall, bound together as they were. They came down as rapidly as they had ascended, and fell in the river. So interested were the officers and passengers in the singular contest that the steamer backed water, a boat put off, and in a few minutes the two belligerents were laid upon our deck, dead!"

Audubon gives an interesting account of the capture and death of the swan, as illustrated in figure 2:

"The eagle has marked her for his prey. As the swan is passing, the male bird starts from his perch, in full preparation for the chase, with an awful scream that, to the swan's ear, brings more terror than the report of the large duck-gun. Now is the moment to witness the eagle's powers. He glides through the air like a falling star, and, like a flash of lightning, comes upon the timorous quarry, which now, in agony and despair, seeks, by various maneuvers, to elude the grasp of his cruel talons. It mounts, doubles, and willingly would plunge into the stream, were it not prevented by the eagle, which, knowing that by such a stratagem the swan might escape him, forces it to remain in the air by attempting to strike it with his

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