EAGLES. 



285 



Spizaetus (or Zim»aStus) and its subdivisions, Zophoaetus, Spiziaslur, etc. Several 

 of the species arc beautifully crested, as, for exami)lc, Lophoaetus occipitalis, of 

 South Africa, one of the smaller sjiecies, but with a black occipital crest over four 

 inches long. This is rather a sluggish bird, feeding much on rats, but frequently 

 hcljiing himself to poultry also. The crowned-tiagle, .'Spizaetus coronutus, which has 

 nearly the same range as the last, is a much larger bird, with the under parts richly 

 banded with black on a buff ground, and an amjile occipital crest of long, blackish 



Fio. IS). — Circaittu gaiticiu, st:rpeutr«ai;lt:. 



brown feathers. Several species are also found in Ccntr.il and South America, among 

 which are the crested Spiziaetics {Lophvtriorcliis) isi'furi, and -S. ornatiis. 



Probably the Malayan black-eagle, Xeopus malai/ensis, belongs witli this group, 

 though its remarkably small outer toe and claw — almost aborted it would seem — 

 might be taken as an indication of other affinity. This sjiecies is crcstless. 



An interesting bird, related to those just mentioned, is the short-toed or serpent- 

 eagle, Circaitiia gaUicua, which iuliabits the countries about the Mediterranean, and 



