22 



NORTH AMERICAN EAGLES. 



marked with various shades of brown. They are not usually depos- 

 ited on successive days, but at intervals of sometimes as much as a 

 week. The period of incubation has been given variously as from 

 twenty-five to thirty-five days; probably thirty days is the average 

 time. The voung when first hatched are covered with a white down 



Fig. 2.— Breeding range of the golden eagle {Aquila chnjsaelos). 



which lasts for several weeks until gradually replaced by the new 

 brown feathers. The young grow rapidly, but remain a long time 

 in the nest — from two to three months. They are sometimes sav- 

 age and while in the aery resent any familiarity, but sometimes may 

 be handled almost with impunity; probably individual temperament 



