way up, and the flames rapidly ascending, the parent eagle darted
around and among the flames, until her plumage was so much injured
that it was with difficulty she could make her escape, and even then,
she several times attempted to return to relieve her offspring.

The flight of the bald eagle, when taken into consideration 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
reconnoitering 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
mountainous cliffs that tower above the Hudson and Susquehanna, 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
descend, 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,