The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1852-06-02

boldly, and drives him out of the district.
He is, therefore, by no means a proper
emblem for the brave and honest Cincin-
natl of America, who have driven all the
king birds from our country, though ex-
actly fit.for that order of knights which
the French call ChcyaiicrS u MduStr1e.
| am, on this account, not displeased that
the figure is not known as bald eagle,
but looks more like turkey. For, in
truth, the turkey is, in comparison, a
much more respectable bird, and withal
a true original native of America. Ea-
giles have been found in all countries, but
the turkey was peculiar to ours the first
of the species seen in Europe being
brought to France by the Jcsuits from
Canada, and served up at the wedding
table of Charles TX
"IIe is, besides, Though little vain
and silly, t is true, but not the worse
emblem for that.)a bird of courage, and
would not hesitate to attack grenadier
of the British Guards, who should pre-
sumo to invade his farm-yard with rccl
coat on"
The editor of this interesting cores
pondence remarks that learned friend
had observed to him, that the assertion
about the first turkey being brought to
France &c, is mistake, as turkeys were
found in great plenty by Cortes when he
invaded and conquered Mexico, before
the time of Charles TX and that this
and their being brought to old Spain, is
mentioned by Peter Martyr of Angelina,
who was secretary to the council of the
Indies, established Immediately after the
discovery of America, and personally ac-
quainted with Columbus
But, after all, the white-hcaded eagle
is bold fellow and Mr. Gardiner re
lates, that when riding within five or six
rods of one, the bird, by raising his feath
ers and his general defying demeanor
seemed willing to dispute the ground
with its owner.
As for the vultures the eagle treat.
them as so much dirt and, indeed, they
are little better. He has been frequent
! ly seen to keep them at respectful dis
tance-especially upon one occasion
when whole colony of haplcss squirrels
had been hurried down the falls of Mag
ara-till he had completely satisfied him
self with the harvest of death but, whel
pressed by hunger. he plays the SAINT
game with well-flled vulture as he does
ordinarily, with the fsh-hawk, attack
ing it furiously, making the cowardl,
glutton disgorge the carrion with whicl
its craw is cranmed, and then snatchin.
up the dainty contents
The nest in state of nature is gen
orally fixed on some large, lofty tree, of
ten in swamp or morass and if tn
tree be favoritc, will there be contin
ued for in years succession, From bein,
thus repaired and added to every season
it becomes a dark, prominent mass, catch
ing the eye at a considerable distance
:, To form it, sticks, sods, earthly rubbish
hay, moss, &c, are collected The egg
are two in number, and Wilson mention
story about the female laying a singl
egg first, and, after having sat on it TO
some time, laying another When tn
first is hatchcd, the warmth of thai
they say, matches the second. Upon tn
correctness of this tale Wilson decline
to determine but he relates, that yer
respectable gentleman in Virginia assul
ed him that he saw large tree cut dow
containing the nest of a bald eagle, wher
in were two young,one Of which appeare
nearly three times as large as the other
One of these nestlings might have ha
the lions share of the food brought b.
the parents but the story of hatchin
at long intervals is so contrary to al
known rules of incubation, that
must be received with the greatest doubt
-LeareS from tie Note Book Of a M
! tUrQlid.