Golden Eagle 



Two species of eagle, the golden and the bald, inhabit North America. Both have 

 extensive ranges and may be abundant locally or during migration. Of the two, the 

 bald eagle is much the better known. It occurs in suitable habitats from Florida to 

 Alaska and, as our national symbol, is generally regarded with respect and admira- 

 tion. Although capable of catching birds in flight, bald eagles feed principally upon 

 fish and usually are found near large bodies of water. 



The larger but less colorful golden eagle is in many respects the more interesting of 

 the two. Unlike the bald eagle, it ranges far beyond this continent and is actually 

 circumpolar (Holarctic) in distribution. A single form is known in North America, but 

 several geographic forms have been described from the north temperate zone of Eu- 

 rope and Asia. All, however, are characterized by heavily feathered lower legs ftarsi) 

 and rich brown plumage. The golden-brown tone or sheen from which the golden 

 eagle gets its name is acquired only when the bird is fully adult. 



Golden eagles are inhabitants of mountainous regions and arid, barren wastes. In 

 North America they are resident only in the west, but each year during migration, 

 stragglers are observed eastward as far as the Alleghenies in Pennsylvania. During late 

 fall the species is reported occasionally in the vicinity of Chicago. More often than not, 

 however, these birds have proved to be bald eagles in dark immature plumage. 



During the breeding season golden eagles are uncommon east of the Rockies. They 

 usually nest in remote areas, preferably on a rocky crag or an inaccessible ledge of a 

 canyon from which much of the countryside may be seen. As with all eagles, the eyrie 

 or nest is a bulky affair of sticks and branches lined with leaves and twigs. Golden 

 eagles probably mate for life, and the same nest may be used year after year. As the old 

 nest is repaired each season, it gradually increases in size and may finally attain a 

 depth of eight feet. 



The breeding habits of golden eagles have been described by Mr. Rudyerd Boulton, 

 former Curator of Birds, as follows: "The eggs are two in number, occasionally three, 

 and arc white, attractively shaded and blotched with pinkish brown. It not infre- 

 quently happens that one egg is infertile and fails to hatch. If both eggs hatch, one of 

 the youngsters is invariably larger than the other because the eggs are laid at an in- 

 terval of about a week and the first-born gets a start on its nest mate. And thus it hap- 

 pens that often only one bird is brought to maturity, for the elder and stronger may 

 tear its weaker brother to bits in sheer exuberance of living. 



"Eaglets are clothed in thick, soft, white down when they hatch. They wear this 

 coat for about three weeks. Then comes a period of about two weeks while their 

 feathers are growing, during which time they are ragged, pathetic-looking creatures. 

 They remain in the nest for another three weeks — two months in all — while they gain 

 strength and confidence to venture into the exciting and strenuous world." 



A reliable eyewitness in California states, in describing her observations of an eagle 

 teaching its youngster to fly, that the mother would force the young one from the 



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