18 BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 



whicli clothe the head, neck, and breast of the AustraUan bird, 

 at once distinguishes it from its Indian and Javan allies. 



A more beautiful instance of analogy than that which these 

 three birds offer to our notice can scarcely be imagined, and I 

 feel assured that in their habits they are equally similar. 



The White-breasted Sea Eagle is very common on the 

 northern and eastern portions of Australia, where it takes up 

 its abode in the most secluded and retired parts of bays and 

 inlets of the sea. Upon one occasion only did I meet with 

 it within the colony of New South Wales, but I have several 

 times received specimens from Moreton Bay : the individual 

 alluded to above was observed soaring over the brushes of 

 the Lower Hunter. The chief food of this species is fish 

 and crustaceans, which it captures either by plunging down or 

 by dexterously throwing out its foot while flying close to the 

 water, such fish as swim near the surface being of course 

 the only ones that become a prey to it : sometimes the 

 captured fish is borne off to the bird's favourite perch, which 

 is generally a branch overhanging the water, while at others, 

 particularly if the bird be disturbed, it is borne aloft in 

 circles over the head of the intruder and devoured while the 

 bird is on the wing, with apparent ease. Its flight is slow 

 and heavy near the ground, but at a considerable elevation it 

 is easy and buoyant. 



In speaking of H. Indus, Colonel Sykes says, " It is seen 

 constantly passing up and down rivers at a considerable 

 height, but prepared to fall at an instant on its prey ; usually 

 it seizes when on the wing, but occasionally dips entirely 

 under water, appearing to rise again with difficulty ; the 

 stomach of many specimens examined all contained fish and 

 flesh, except one, in which a crab was found." 



"This species," says Gilbert in his notes from Port Es- 

 sington, "is pretty generally spread throughout the penin- 

 sula and the neighbouring islands, and may be said to be 

 tolerably abundant. It breeds from the beginning of July to 



