How we cite our quotes: (Line)
Quote #4
[…] but the great redtail
Had nothing left but unable misery
From the bones too shattered for mending, the wing that trailed under his talons when he moved. (18-20)
Is the speaker making a case to ease his guilt for having to kill this bird? It sounds like it. If it's true that all this animal had left was "unable misery," and there was no other way, you can't fault him, but you can tell the speaker feels terrible for having to do the dirty deed.