452 PREYING BIRDS — RAPTORES. 



Younycr. Entire plumage dark brown ; paler on the throat, edges of" the feathers paler 

 or fulvous, especially below ; tail more or less mottled with white, which as age advances 

 extends over a large portion of the tail, especially on the inner webs. Bill brownish-black ; 

 iris brown. 



Length, 30.00 to 43.00; extent, 78.00 to 88.00; wing, 20.00 to 25.00; tail, 13.00 to 

 15.00. 



JIab. All of temperate North America. Greenland; Iceland; accidental in Europe. 



This specie.s, adopted as the bird of America, is much less noble in its 

 disposition than the golden eagle. It lives in great part on squirrels, rab- 

 bits, wounded birds, and fish stolen from the industrious fish-hawk, rarely 

 venturing to attack large birds or quadrupeds, and having less strength of 

 wing or swiftness than is required for it to catch many large birds. It is a 

 very abundant species where not exterminated by the foolisli ambition to 

 " kill an eagle," which inspires most gunners. It is, in fact, so tame around 

 many of the Spanish ranches that it is far easier to kill than the quail or 

 other more legitimate game. The Spanish inhabitants rather encourage its 

 presence, on account of the great number of scpiirrels it kills ; and I ha\'e 

 been told of instances where young ones raised from the nest liave been 

 kept for several years in a domestic state, going out daily to kiU squirrels, 

 and returning to the house at night. 



Dr. Gambel states that they were held sacred by the Indians, which will 

 in a measure account for their abundance and protection by the nati\-es. 



About the ranches this eagle also depends in great measure on the weakly 

 lambs, calves, or larger animals that often die iu great numbers during 

 seasons of drought ; but I have never known of their eating carrion. 



On the sea-shore, and around lakes or rivers, it depends more on fish, 

 especially sahnon, which it ol)tains in abundance at mo.st seasons, as im- 

 mense numbers of them die after spawning. I have seen an eagle pick up 

 a dead fish from the surface of the ^^■ater, and have also seen one catch a 

 flying-fisli during its short flight above the surface, but have never kudwn 

 of their diving for fish. 



The manner in which they rob the fish-hawk after its successful plunge 

 and laborious ascent into tlie air Ls well known, and may be ol>ser\ed in 

 many places where both birds are found, especially along the sea-coast. I 

 have not, however, found this habit universal, as both species seem to li\e 

 in harmony about the islands of the southern coast. I have seen more 

 than thirty of these eagles in young plumage, soaring about the north end 

 of Catalina Island on the 9th of July, and their nests were numerous among 

 the inaccessil)le cliffs of that i.sland. They seem, however, to prefer to Ijuild 

 in trees, where there are any large ones, and continue to build one nest 

 above another year after year, until the pile becomes large enougli to fill a 

 wagon. One such I liave seen in Santa Clara VaUey, near a farm-house, 



