in the Eastern Atlas. 181 



solitude, nor do they allow a single Vulture, Kite, or indeed 

 any other species of rapacious bird, to occupy with their nest a 

 single spot in the same rock, however eligible for the purpose ; 

 nor are these other species ever to be seen in the haunts of 

 their exclusive majesties. The whole southern precipice at 

 Djebel Dekma was thus tenanted by a single pair of this Eagle, 

 as also several other rocks that came under our notice. The 

 eggs are laid in March, and are for the most part two in num- 

 ber, though, in some cases, no more than one occurred. The 

 eggs taken in this district are many of them richly marked ; but 

 the spots appear to be more isolated than is observable in many 

 Scotch specimens. Instances of the Golden Eagle building in 

 trees were by no means of unfrequent occurrence. 



The Arabic name of this bird is " Hogarb kakala,'' or " Black 

 Eagle." 



5. Aquila n^vta. (Spotted Eagle.) 



Owing to the great similarity that subsists between this bird 

 and A. neevioides, I refrain from quoting doubtful instances of 

 the occurrence of either. It veas at Djebel Dekma only, that a 

 pair were certainly recognized. These we used frequently to 

 see flying round and about the northern cliff. I do not think 

 that this is a species by any means numerous in the Eastern 

 Atlas. We had a nestling Eagle for some time in our camp, 

 which we used to suppose to be the young of this species j but I 

 do not feel at all sure that such was the case. Unfortunately 

 it was killed by an accident. 



The Arabs apply the name of " Hogarb" to this and the fol- 

 lowing species. 



6. Aquila NiEvioiDEs. (Tawny Eagle.) 



I several times had opportunities of observing a pair of these 

 birds about a cliff which faces the south in the vicinity of Kef 

 Laks. About the fourth week in April I discovered the nest, 

 to which I sent Mohamed, but without result; the eggs had 

 not been deposited. At Djendeli, in the Salt Lake district, I 

 obtained a specimen. This bird, the skin of which I have still, 

 seemed to have missed its moult, as the plumage was very much 

 faded. So light-coloured is it, that it may bear comparison 



VOL. I. O 



