AQUILA RAPAX ALBICANS 103 



In its habits the Greater Spotted Eagle is said to be rather sluggish, 

 and its flight is heavy. It frequents wooded country and the borders 

 of lakes and marshes, where it finds its favourite food in the shape 

 of frogs, though it appears also to be partial to fish, either fresh or 

 decomposed. It also preys on other creatures, such as small mammals, 

 birds and snakes, and does not disdain carrion. 



In some Eastern countries where the species is common, this Eagle 

 is often to be met with in considerable numbers, and any large piece 

 of water is sure to be haunted by several of the birds, which may 

 be seen perching on trees bordering the water-side, on the look-out 

 for game. It is not particularly shy, and may sometimes be easily 

 approached, particularly if it should happen to be intent on its prey. 

 It is said rarely to soar to any height, or indeed to leave the trees, to 

 which it is so attached by habit, and which also invariably form its 

 nesting quarters. 



The Lesser Spotted Eagle (A.pomarma ov A.pomerana, as it should 

 no doubt properly be spelt), does not appear to have occurred in North- 

 west Africa, though it is said to be met with occasionally in Southern 

 Europe. The Lilford collection contains a male example of it pro- 

 cured as far west as Malaga. 



AQUILA RAPAX ALBICANS (Riippell). 



PALE TAWNY EAGLE. 



Falco rapax, Tcmm. PI. Col. i, pi. 448 (1828). 



Aquila rapax, Lesson, Traile d'Orii. p. 37 (1831) ; Sharpe, Cat. Birds 



Brit. Mus. i, p. 242 ; Malherbe, Faune. Orn. de I'Alg. p. 6 (1855). 

 Aquila albicans, Riipp. Neiie Wirbelth. p. 34, pi. 13 (1835). 

 Aquila naevioides, Loche, Expl. Sci. Alg. Ois. i, p. 24 (1867) ; Koenig, 



J.f. 0. 1888, p. 140 ; id. J.f. 0. 1892, p. 286. 

 Aquila rapax albicans, Erlanger, J. f. 0. 1898, p. 419. 



Description. — Adult. 



General plumage above and below creamy-grey or sand-colour ; primaries 

 black ; secondaries brown ; greater wing-coverts and scapulars light brown ; 

 tail greyish-brown, slightly tipped with creamy-grey, and showing faint 

 traces of bars on some of the feathers. 



Bill blackish, darker at tip ; cere and feet yellow ; claws black. 



Total length 26 inches, wing 2050, culmen 2-50, tarsus 340. 



