RAPTORES. 23 



The nest being of great size is a very conspicuous object ; it 

 is composed of sticks varying from the thickness of a linger to 

 that of the wrist, and lined with the softer kinds of sea- weed. 

 It is usually placed on the summit of a rock, but is sometimes 

 constructed on the top of a large Eucalyptus, always in the 

 vicinity of water. A nest observed by Gilbert in Rottnest 

 Island measured fifteen feet in circumference. The eggs 

 are two in number, of a yellowish white, boldly spotted and 

 blotched with deep rich reddish brown, which colour in some 

 specimens is so dark as to be nearly black ; other specimens, 

 again, are clouded with large blotches of purple, which appear 

 as if beneath the surface of the shell. The medium length of 

 the eggs is two inches and five lines, and the breadth one inch 

 and nine lines. 



When near the water, its flight is heavy and flapping ; but 

 when soaring aloft at a great altitude, its actions are the most 

 easy and graceful imaginable ; at one moment it appears mo- 

 tionless, and at another performs a series of beautiful curves 

 and circles, apparently for mere enjoyment ; for from the great 

 height at which they are executed it is hardly to be conceived 

 that the bird can be watching the motions of its finny prey in 

 the waters beneath. The velocity of the stoop made by these 

 aquatic Eagles when in the act of capturing a fish is indeed 

 truly wonderful ; and equally surprising is the unerring aim 

 and rapidity with which they clutch their victims. 



Crown of the head, back of the neck, throat, abdomen, 

 thighs, and under tail-coverts white ; feathers of the chest 

 mottled with brown, and with a dark brown mark down the 

 centre ; ear-coverts and sides of the neck dark brown ; back, 

 wings, and tail clove-brown, each feather of the back with a 

 narrow circle of white at its extremity ; primaries black ; bill 

 black ; cere bluish lead-colour ; feet pale bluish white ; irides 

 primrose-yellow in some, bright orange in others. 



Mr. Gurney thinks this bird, P. halicedus, and P. caroli- 

 nensis may be one and the same species. 



