The Eagle of Mission Ridge 247 



air, where they soar in great circles. Length, about three feet; extent, 

 about seven feet. Female larger than male. 



Bald Eagle (Haliaetus leucocephalus). Bird of Washington, selected 

 as our national emblem: Male and female, head, neck, and tail, snowy- 

 white, rest of plumage blackish or dark brownish. The young birds 

 during the first year are wholly black. Lives largely on fish, diving 

 for them, stealing them from the fish hawk, or finding dead fish cast up 

 by the waves. Lives throughout the United States. 



Golden Eagle {Aquila chrysaetus): Male and female, entire plumage 

 dark brown; back of neck and feathers on legs lighter brown; legs feath- 

 ered to toes. Lives in the wilder parts of North America, where it 

 builds a big platform nest in trees or on the ledge of a cliff. Eggs, gen- 

 erally two, whitish, marked with blotches of brown and gray. Lives 

 largely on mammals and birds, including squirrels, prairie-dogs, rabbits, 

 grouse, and water-fowl. 



