WHITK-TAILED SEA-EAGLE. 79 



and the differences in the form of the hill, with that in 

 the size of the birds, and the greater length of the tail 

 compared with the wings in the former species, are of 

 themselves sufficient to enahle one to distingnish them ; 

 although Wilson confounded the young of the white- 

 headed eagle with the sea-eagle of Europe, the young 

 of the present species. 



Remarks. — The younger birds were, until of late 

 years, considered as constituting a species, which was 

 called the Sea Eagle, Falco Ossifragus ; and the fall- 

 coloured old birds another, bearing the name of Ci- 

 nereous or White-tailed Eagle, Falco Albicilla. It 

 was first shewn by Temminck that the two supposed 

 species form in reality but one ; and other authors have 

 confirmed the statement. But as the question has long- 

 been settled, it is quite unnecessary here to attempt 

 any display of learning connected with it ; nor would 

 there be any better reason for presenting a long list of 

 synonyms and references, such as some authors, with 

 small trouble and much pomposity, impose upon their 

 readers. 



I have already observed that this species, when kept 

 in captivity, often becomes more ferocious with refer- 

 ence to man, than it is apt to be in the free state. The 

 individuals which I have kept myself, were not allowed 

 to live long enough to furnish any materials for these 

 pages ; and those which I have seen with other per- 

 sons, both in the Hebrides, and in various parts of 

 Scotland and England, I have merely attended to in so 

 far as regarded their appearance and attitudes ; but I 

 am happy, through the kindness of my esteemed friend 



