348. Ferruginous Rough-leg. 

 Archibuteo ferrugineus. 



BIRDS OF PREY 



F^>v 



'KS**'?^ 



White 



Rough-legged Hawk 



Range.^ — North America, west of the Mississippi, breeding from the latitude 

 of Colorado nortli to the Saskatchewan region. 



This species nests very abundantly along our northern states, particularly in 

 Dakota. It is a larger bird than the preceding and can easily be told by its 

 reddish coloration, particularly on the shoulders and tibia. While in some 

 localities they nest only in trees, the greater number appear to build their nests 

 on the ground or rocky ledges, making a large heap of sticks, weeds and grass. 

 Their three or four eggs are white, beautifully spotted and blotched, in endless 

 variety, with various shades of brown. Size 2.60 x 2.00. Data. — Stark Co., N. 

 D., April 29, 1900. Nest built of coarse sticks on a clay butte. 



349. Golden Eagle. Aquila chrysoetos. 



Range.— North America, west of the Missis- 

 sippi; most abundant in the Rockies and along 

 the Pacific coast ranges. 



This magnificent bird, which is even more 

 powerful than the Bald Eagle, measures about 

 84 inches long, and spreads about 7 feet. Its 

 plumage is a rich brownish black, very old 

 birds being golden brown on llie nape. They 

 can be distinguished in all plumages from the 

 Bald Eagle by the completely feathered tarsus. 

 They build their nests in the tops of the tallest 

 trees in the wild, mountainous country of the 

 west, and more rarely upon ledges of the cliffs. 

 The nests are made of large sticks, lined with 

 smaller ones and leaves and weeds. Their eggs 

 are the most handsome of the Raptores, being 

 white in color, and blotched, splashed, spotted 

 and specked with light brown and clouded with 

 gray or lilac, of course varying endlessly in 

 pattern and intensity. Size 2.90 x 2.50. Data. 

 -Monterey Co.. Cal., May 3, 1888. Three eggs. 

 Nest of sticks, lined with pine needles, in a 

 pine tree, 50 feet i^p. 

 215 



Golden Eagrle 



