BIRDS OF PREY. 



bird in the British isles, but the increase of population and the cultivation of 

 the land have driven it to the remoter parts of the kingdom, and it is now 

 only to be found in the Highlands of the North, the wildernesses of Ireland, 

 and occasionally in Wales. On the continent it is more abundant, particularly 

 in the Northern and hilly countries, as in Norway, Sweden, and some parts of 

 Russia. It is also found, but more rarely, in Germany and France, and still 

 less frequently in Italy or farther southwards. 



The extensive sub-family of the Eagles includes a great number 

 of birds more or less agreeing in their habits with the description 

 of the golden eagle given above, but nevertheless divisible by 

 certain peculiarities into several distinct groups, distinguished by 

 different names : among these it will be necessary to select one 

 or two of the most remarkable, in order to exemplify the general 

 character of this formidable race. 



The Hawk-Eagles (iV/sae/us) are magnificent birds, found throughout 

 India, where they are often seen on the wing, saihng at a great height, and 

 always making their appearance at certain spots in the districts they frequent 

 about the same hour ; or they may frequently be observed seated on the sum- 

 mit of a lofty tree or of some overhanging rock. They prey by preference on 

 various kinds of game— hares, partridges, ducks, and herons ; they likewise 

 commit great devastation amongst pigeons. 



The Serpent-Eagles {Circactiis) are chiefly inhabitants of Africa. They 

 frequent open plains, are much on the wing, and live mostly on reptiles. One 

 species (C. Gallicits) is spread over all India. It is not found in forests or 

 jungle, but prefers open plains and cultivated ground, where it is rather a noisy 

 bird, frequently uttering a wild plaintive scream. Its chief food consists of 

 snakes and lizards, but it will eat rats, weakly birds, crabs, frogs, centipedes, 

 and large insects. Jerdon has seen one strike at a wounded hare, and it will 

 occasionally carry off a teal or a duck ; generally, however, it pounces on 

 snakes and lizards, and may sometimes be seen on the ground, with its claws 

 stuck in the snake's head, while the body of the venomous reptile is coiled 

 round the bird's wings, in which state the herd-boys som.etimes kill them. It 

 builds in high trees, making a moderately large nest of sticks. This eagle is 

 sometimes found in the south of Europe, in Africa, and over a great part of 

 Asia. 



The Sea-Bag]os {Haliaciiis)* are large and powerful birds inhabiting 

 both the Old and New Worlds. They are usually found in mountainous dis- 

 tricts near the sea, or on precipices that border inland lakes. Fishes consti- 

 tute their principal fcod, which are generally obtained, as described hereafter, 

 in no very honest manner ; but they likewise prey upon large quadrupeds and 

 aquatic birds, or even feed freely upon carrion. The borders of inland lakes 

 and the rocky margins of the larger rivers are in turn made the scenes of 

 their predatory exploits. " In such situations, this ruthless tyrant may be 

 seen perched in an erect attitude on the highest summit of the tallest tree, 

 from whence his glistening but stern eye looks down on the scene beneath. 

 He listens attentively to every sound, glancing now and then around, lest even 

 the light tread of the fawn should pass unheard. His mate is perched on the 



* a\s, the sea; d,€T6s, an eagle: sea-eagle. 



