Mr. C. Farman on Bulgarian Birds of Prey. 199 



XVII. — On some of the Birds of Prey of Central Bulgaria. 

 By C. Farman, C.E. 



[Continued from 'The Ibis' for 1868, p. 414.] 



Aquila CHRYSAETUS (Linn.). Golden Eagle. 

 In comparison with some of the Eagles, this monarch of the 

 airy realms is a scarce bird; I have observed some few indivi- 

 duals in various parts — one near the head of the lower Devna 

 lake, one in the Pravidy valley, and several others in the hill- 

 country to the westward and northward of Shumla. 



Aquila heliaca (Sav.). Imperial Eagle. 



Of all the Eagles to be met with in this country, this is by 

 far the most common, and it breeds in great numbers in all 

 parts of Central Bulgaria. 



Nidification commences at the end of March or beginning of 

 April, the 8th of April being the earliest date at which I have 

 found the eggs (some thirty of which I have taken). I have, 

 however, taken fresh eggs of this bird as late as the first week 

 in May. Its favourite place for building its eyry is on an isolated 

 tree, or where the trees are scattered about at some distance 

 from one another, or a clump of two or three, at the most, stand- 

 ing alone in the open country, but where there is little or no 

 cultivation. 



The nest is little more than a large flat platform of coarse 

 sticks, about 3 feet 6 inches in diameter, and piled up to the 

 height of 18 inches or 2 feet, but in some old nests much 

 higher. The interior is slightly concave, arid lined with a few 

 smaller twigs and a little dry grass, wool, pieces of old rag, or 

 any other small rubbish that comes within their ken ; in most 

 instances, however, the lining is very scanty. 



The number of eggs in a nest is generally two, sometimes 

 three, never more, and not unfrequently only one. 



The Imperial Eagle, always a shy bird and difficult to ap- 

 proach, is even more so during the breeding-season ; the male 

 bird is always on the watch, either flying in graceful circles at 

 some height above and about the nest, or seated on some neigh- 

 bouring tree, whence, on the slightest appearance of danger, he 

 comes swooping down towards his eyry, uttering a hoarse croak- 



