falconida:. 



327 



THE GOLDEN EAGLE. 



Aquila chrysaetus (Linnceus). 



As regards England, authenticated occurrences of this species in 

 the south are exceedingly rare ; the birds recorded as " Golden " 

 Eagles generally proving to be examples of the White-tailed or Sea- 

 Eagle in the tawny-brown plumage of immaturity. At long intervals 

 single specimens have been obtained in Sussex (Charleton Forest, 

 prior to 1752), Norfolk (Stiff key, November 1868), Lincolnshire 

 (November ist 1881 and October 29th 1895), and Northampton- 

 shire (October 1849); while somewhat further northward this species 

 is not much more frequent, although about two centuries ago it 

 bred in Derbyshire and Wales, and almost within the last hundred 

 years in the Cheviots and the Lake district. Across the Border, 

 as Mr. R. Service informs me, there were eyries up to 1833 in the 

 Moffat Hills, and for some years after 1850 in Ayrshire and Kirkcud- 

 brightshire; but to the Lowlands of Scotland the Golden Eagle is now. 



