THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 



323 



THE HA^YKS. 



These birds have numerous representatives at our 

 antipodes, and among them we enumerate the followincr, 

 some of which we propose to consider in detail, regretting 

 that want of space prechides the possibility of going 

 regularly through a most interesting group. 



Wedged-Tailed Eagle.— This noble-looking bird is 

 more generally known in the Colonies by the name of 

 eagle hawk. At one time it was numerous, but owing to 

 its depredations among the flocks it is much less frequently 

 met with than it was a few years ago. There is a well- 

 known story of a fugitive from justice, who secreted 

 himself on a rocky ledge where a pair of these birds had a 

 nest, and by cutting the quills of the young ones' wings, 

 was enabled to hide himself for nearly a year, for the 

 young eagles being unable to fly, remained in their nest, 

 and were assiduously fed by the parent birds, the fugitive 



