Sea Eagles.
Their name, Pythargus, which is derived from the Greek, means "white-tail." They generally frequent the sea-shore, where they feed on fish and aquatic birds; they sometimes also catch small mammals, and even devour putrefied flesh. Their claws are very powerful, and the strength of their vision is so great, that they can see their aquatic prey swimming under the surface of the water. The rapidity with which they descend through the air when striking at their quarry is so wonderful that many have compared it to lightning. They even venture to attack the Seal, but as they cannot lift their victim, they cling to its back, forcing it on shore by means of their wings. But this excess of boldness has been known to be fatal to them; large Seals are strong enough to dive and drag their foe under water, where the Eagle meets with a miserable death; for, having buried its claws deeply in its prey, it is often impossible for it to disengage itself.
Fig. 282.—American Sea Eagles (Haliæëtus leucocephalus).
Sea Eagles hunt in the night as well as day. They attack sea-birds weaker than themselves, and pursue them to take possession of their prey. They are indefatigable in pursuit of Vultures, which they make disgorge, and afterwards appropriate the results. Audubon observed, on the shores of the Mississippi, a Sea Eagle pursuing a Vulture which had just swallowed some intestine. Part of this protruded from the Vulture's bill; the Sea Eagle seized it, and forced the original possessor to give it up.
The Sea Eagle of Europe lives in the coldest regions of the globe. It is common in Sweden and Norway, where it builds. Its aerie is about two yards wide, and is generally situated in the forests bordering on the sea or great lakes. It visits the French coasts in the autumn, following flocks of Geese which are migrating to the South; and it is again seen in the spring, on its return to the North. In Russia the special conditions of existence somewhat modify the habits of this bird, where, living in the midst of the vast steppes, it feeds, not on fish, for it is unprocurable, but on small quadrupeds, birds, and carrion. This bird nearly attains to the size of the Golden Eagle.
The Bald Eagle, White-headed Eagle, or Sea Eagle ([Fig. 282]), is a native of North America. It builds its nest on the summit of the highest trees. Its flight is as powerful as that of the Golden Eagle, and its strength and adroitness are even greater.
This Eagle (Haliæëtus leucocephalus, Vig.) is represented on the flag of the United States. The illustrious Franklin with sorrow regretted the selection his nation had made.
"It is a bird of low and evil nature," wrote Franklin in one of his letters; "it does not know how to gain its livelihood honestly. Added to this, it is nothing but a cowardly rogue. The little Wren, which is not so large as a Sparrow, resolutely attacks it, and drives it from its haunts! Thus in no point of view is it a suitable emblem for a brave and honourable nation."
The varieties of this family are numerous on the North American continent, but the distinctions are not sufficiently great to deserve particular notice. Those from other portions of the globe most worthy of attention are the Marine Eagle (Pandion ichthyaëtus), which inhabits Java; the Piscivorous Sea Eagle (Cuncuma vocifer); the Caffir Sea Eagle, discovered in Africa by Levaillant; the Sea Eagle of Mace (C. Macei); and the Pondicherry Eagle, called by some the Sea Eagle of India, which inhabits India and Bengal, where the bird is an object of veneration among the Brahmins, being consecrated to Vishnu.