14 EGGS OF BKITISH BIRDS. 



are almost indistinguishable from Common Buzzard's, and, except 

 that, on an average, they are slightly smaller, they scarcely differ 

 from Common Kite's. They possess little or no gloss, and have 

 the shell somewhat coarse in texture. They vary in length from 

 2 "25 to 2 "05 inches, and in breadth from l - 8 to 1"6 inch. 



THE WHITE-TAILED EAGLE. 

 (Haliaetus albicilla.) 



Plate 2, Fig. 1. 



In the British Islands, Scotland is the home of the White- 

 tailed Eagle, particularly the Hebrides and the Isle of Skye. 

 It is found throughout Europe in localities suited to its habits, 

 and even extends to Greenland. 



The nest is large, composed of sticks, and lined with a little 

 grass or turf. It is placed on the ledges of cliffs, or in trees, and 

 has even been found on the ground. The eggs are laid in May. 

 They are two in number, roundish in form, slightly smaller than 

 Golden Eagle's, and rather coarser in texture : the colour is 

 white, but occasionally a few nest-stains on the shell are visible. 

 They vary from 3'3 to 2"75 inches in length, and from 2"4 to 21 

 inches in breadth. 



THE GOLDEN EAGLE. 

 (Aquila chrysaetus.) 



Plate 2, Fig. 1. 



The Golden Eagle breeds in certain parts of the Highlands 

 of Scotland and in some of the Hebrides. It is found throughout 

 the Palrearctic Region and again in temperate North America. 



The nest is a bulky structure of sticks of many sizes, with a 

 rough lining of moss or grass. It is built on a rock, but has on 

 rare occasions been found in a tree. 



The eggs are often laid before the snow is off the hill-sides, and 

 they vary much in the amount of their markings, the well-marked 

 egg being the rule, and not the exception. They are from one 

 to three in number, but two is the usual clutch. As a rule, 

 in a nest which contains three eggs, one proves to be addled. 

 Typical eggs of this species are dull white in ground-colour, 



