pefied: he does not attempt to rise into the air, but walks out of the opening; the running noose soon catches him round the neck, as a hare is caught in a springe, and his own struggles do the rest.

Some years ago, in Nottinghamshire, a groom was exercising a horse in the early morning, when a terrier which was with him put up from a bush a magnificent eagle, which flew slowly over the hedge into the adjoining field, pursued by the dog, who came up with and attacked it before it could fairly rise; a fierce struggle ensued, but the dog, though severely bitten, maintained his hold, and the bird, which measured eight feet across the wings, was eventually secured. He, too, was captured from having over-indulged in the luxury of carrion.

The late amiable Bishop of Norwich, whose enthusiasm as a naturalist is well known, gives from observation the following account of a golden eagle as seen in his native wilds. Whilst climbing some precipices, near a great waterfall, in the volcanic district of Auvergne, there arose above the roar of the waters a short shrill cry, coming, as it were, from the clouds; on looking in the direction whence it came, a small dark speck was seen moving steadily onwards : it was a golden eagle evidently coming from the plain countries below. As he came nearer, he seemed to float or sail in mid-air, only occasionally gentle flap

ping his wings as if to steady him. Though when first seen he was at the distance of a full mile, in less than a minute he was within gun-shot, and the observer having concealed himself, the bird looked round once or twice, darted down his legs, and alighted on a rock within a few yards of him. For a moment the eagle gazed about with his sharp bright eyes, as if to assure himself that all was safe, then for a few moments more, nestled his head beneath one of his expanded wings, and appeared to plume himself. Having done this, he stretched out his neck and looked keenly and wistfully towards the quarter of the heavens whence he came, and uttered a few rapid screams; then stamping with his feet, he protruded his long hooked talons, at the same time snapping his beak with a sharp noise like the cracking of a whip. There he remained for about ten minutes, manifesting great restlessness, when suddenly he seemed to hear or see something, and immediately rising from the rock, floated away to meet his mate, now seen approaching. After soaring in a circle, they went away, and were no more seen.

The Chartists and special constables of Westminster, who were preparing on the 9th of April, 1848, for the grand "Demonstration" of the following day, beheld with varied feelings an omen which they interpreted according to their views. A magnificent eagle sud

THE EAGLE OF WESTMINSTER.

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denly appeared sailing over the towers of Westminster Abbey, and after performing numerous gyrations, was seen to perch upon one of the pinnacles of the abbey. He formed a most striking object, and a crowd speedily collected to behold this unusual spectacle. After gazing about him for a time, he rose, and began ascending by successive circles to an immense height, and then floated off to the north of London, occasionally giving a gentle flap with his wings, but otherwise appearing to sail away to the clouds, among which he was ultimately lost.

Whence came this royal bird, and whither did he wend his way?

His history was as follows. Early in 1848 a whitetailed sea-eagle was brought to London in a Scotch steamer, cooped up in a crib used for wine-bottles, and presenting a most melancholy and forlorn appearance. A kind-hearted gentleman seeing him in this woful plight, took pity on him, purchased him, and took him to Oxford, he being duly labelled at the Great Western Station, "Passenger's Luggage." By the care of his new master, Mr. Francis Buckland, the bird soon regained his natural noble aspect, delighting especially to dip and wash in a pan of water, then sitting on his perch with his magnificent wings expanded to their full extent, basking in the sun, his head always turned towards that luminary, whose glare

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