GOLDEN EAGLE. 



ACCIPITRES. 



11 



FALCON ID^E. 







Aquila cheysaetus (Linnaeus *). 



THE GOLDEN EAGLE. 



Aquila clirysaetos. 



Aquila, Brissonf. — Beak strong, of moderate length, curved from the cere, 

 pointed, the cutting edges nearly straight. Nostrils oval, lateral, directed ob- 

 liquely downward and backward ; or circulai'. Wings large and long, the fourth 

 quill-feather the longest. Legs strong ; tarsi featbered to the junction of the toes. 

 Feet strong ; the last phalanx of each toe covered by three large scales ; claws 

 strong, hooked. 



* Falco clirysaetos, Linmeus, Syst. Nat. Ed. 12, i. p. 125 (1766). 

 t Ornithologie, i. p. ■120 (1760). 



