CATALOGUE OF BIRDS. 



GOLDEN EAGLE.— (Immature.) 



Case 1. 



The specimens in this case (in conjunction with 

 those in 306) show some of the various stages of 

 plumage exhibited by this Eagle during its progress 

 towards maturity. 



It is probable that birds of this species are 

 five or six years old before they assume the full 

 mature plumage. Golden Eagles vary consider- 

 ably, but they should not, I imagine, be considered 

 perfectly adult till all signs of white have dis- 

 appeared from the tail, and also till the feathers 

 on the legs have become a warm dark brown or 

 rust colour. 



The two sppcimens on the right, a male and 

 female, I should judge to be two years old, and 

 the remaining bird, a male, in the last stage 

 before assuming the perfect adult plumage. 



The birds were all trapped in the Northern 

 Highlands in the Spring of 1878. 



