WHITE-TAILED EAGLE. 



199 



green, with perhaps a few faint rusty markings. Average 

 measurement, 2-9 inches in length by 2-3 inches in 

 breadth. They are usually somewhat rotund in shape, 

 but even in this particular, eggs in the same nest often 

 differ considerably. Incubation, performed by both 

 sexes, lasts about a month. The eggs are sat upon as 

 soon as laid, and often a few days intervene between the 

 deposit of each. 



Diagnostic characters : The size and rich markin-s 

 in most cases readily distinguish the eggs of the Golden 

 Eagle from those of allied species. The colourless 

 varieties may be distinguished from those of the White- 

 tailed Eagle by their fine, almost smooth, texture, those 

 of that species being much coarser grained. 



Family FALCONID^. Genus Hamaetus, 



Sub-family AQUILINM. 



WHITE-TAILED EAGLE. 



Haliaetus albicilla (Brisson). 



Single Brooded. Laying season, March and April. 



British breeding area : Even less remotely (little 

 more than fifty years) than the Golden Eagle, the White- 

 tailed Eagle bred in the north of England and the south 

 of Scotland ; but persecution has now long banished this 

 fine bird from all the more populated areas, and its great 

 stronghold is in the northern districts. It is certainly 

 far more numerous than the Golden Eagle, and may be 

 met with breeding along the wild west coast of Scotland 

 and amongst the Hebrides, reaching as far north as the 

 Shetlands. In Ireland it becomes much less common, 



