124 



Distinctions. The Golden Eagle is altogether different from the adult Bald Eagle, 

 but very similar to the juvenile. It can, however, in all plumages be identified by its 

 feathered tarsus, the latter species having at all times bare, bright yellow legs. 



Nesting. On chflfs, rock ledges, or in trees. 



Distribution. Over the temperate region of both hemispheres. In America, it ranges 

 over all the north coimtry excepting the northern extreme, extending south into Mexico 

 in the western plains and mountains and down along the high lands of the east. Practically 

 only a straggler in the Great Lakes region. 



The Golden Eagle is too rare in eastern Canada to receive more than 

 passing mention here. It is a magnificent bird and having less of the 

 scavenger and robber in its nature it fits the popular conception of the 

 king of birds better than does its close relative the Bald Eagle. 



Economic Status. The economic view of this bird must be largely 

 affected by local conditions. It feeds principally on mammals and its 

 large size allows it to take those of considerable weight. Most of its food 

 is naturally wild stock — ground-hogs, rabbits, and rodent pests — but 

 newly-born animals are taken on opportunity. In the western sheep 

 country the depredations of numbers of Golden Eagles may be serious, 

 but are never so in the east. Fortunately the species is too rare in eastern 

 Canada to cause strong objection to it; in fact to see an average of a single 

 bird a year would be rather remarkable. Therefore, the occasional presence 

 of one of these magnificent birds in the east can be looked for with pleasure 

 rather than alarm. On occasion the species devours carrion, but does not 

 seem to depend upon it as its relative the next species does. 



352. Bald Eagle. American eagle, white-headed eagle, fr. — l'aigle a t^te 

 BLANCHE. Haliceetus leucocephahcs . L, 32-85. The adult is dark brown with white head, 

 neck, and tail. The juvenile is all brown with more or less suggestion of the coming white, 

 depending upon age. 



Distinctions. Though very similar in juvenile plumage to the Golden Eagle, the 

 unfeathered yeUow legs will always identify it. 



Field Marks. The Eagle outline and great size are quite characteristic when one is 

 familiar with them. The great hooked bill, the cuknen which projects in a straight Une 

 with the crown and fills the whole of the forehead are plainly visible and quite recogniz- 

 able. The white of the head and tail are unmistakable recognition marks for the adult 

 and on account of the large scale of the details the juvenile can be told from the Golden 

 with greater ease than would natvu-aUy be expected. The golden-tawny of the upper neck 

 of the Golden is often quite conspicuous though absent on the Bald. The somewhat 

 whitish or mottled tail of the Golden shows from below a dark terminal tip, in perceptible 

 contrast with the base, from 2 to 4 inches deep depending on age; whereas the tail of the 

 juvenile Bald is all dirty white with Httle or no distinct terminal band but presenting an 

 aspect of even mottling at all stages. Any Eagle observed in eastern Canada should be 

 tentatively identified as of this species unless there are definite and positive reasons for 

 declaring it as Golden. 



Distribution. Over the whole of the United States and Canada except the extreme 

 Arctic coasts. 



SUBSPECIES. The Bald Eagle is divided into two subspecies, only one of which, 

 the Northern Bald Eagle H. I. alascanus, is known to occur in Canada. The tj^jical race 

 is of more southern distribution. 



Though the Golden Eagle is typically an inhabitant of the mountains 

 and high lands, the Bald Eagle is a bird of the water side and is seldom 

 found far from that element. Though once a typical species of the eastern 

 landscape it is yearly growing rarer, until now in most localities the sight 

 of one is an event of some importance. The Bald Eagle is a harmless 

 species. The damage it does is very small and as a characteristic wild 

 feature of our lake landscape this picturesque bird should be preserved. 



