BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 187 



The Golden Eagle {Aqiiila chrysaetus, Linnaeus) is a com- 

 paratively scarce resident in the British Islands, and a 

 wanderer during the non-breeding season. It is also found 

 in most parts of the Palearctic and Nearctic Regions. The 

 adult has the crown and nape rich tawny; back, dark 

 brown; tail, brown, tinged with greyish, and barred ob- 

 scurely with dusky-brown on basal half; tips, darker ; 

 primaries, blackish -brown ; under parts, brown; thighs, 

 dark brown ; irides, bright hazel ; bill, dark horn colour, 

 base paler ; cere and feet, yellow ; legs feathered to the 

 toes. Length, from thirty-one to thirty-six inches. The 

 female is larger than the male, but similar in colour. 



