108 BIRDS OF TUNISIA 



it is fond of soaring to a great altitude, from whence, like Vultures 

 and some other Raptores, it scans the underlying country in search 

 of its prey. 



The breeding-season of the Golden Eagle in Tunisia seems to 

 commence early in March, and extends over a couple of months. In 

 most countries the species nests either in trees or among rocks, 

 according to circumstances, but in Tunisia the latter situations are 

 generally selected, although Salvin, writing of his bird-nesting in the 

 Eastern Atlas, says that instances of the Golden Eagle building in 

 trees were by no means of unfrequent occurrence. Holes or clefts 

 in cliffs, protected by an overhanging ledge of rocks, are favourite 

 spots, and here a large flat structure is formed of sticks and twigs, 

 both fresh and dry, with a lining of grass or other soft plant-material. 

 The usual number of eggs laid is two, but the complement seems 

 to vary from one to three. In size and coloration there is consider- 

 able variation, but typical eggs may be said to be of a white or pale 

 greenish-white, with lilac or grey shell-marks, and rufous-brown 

 surface-spots and blotches ; average measurements are about 70 x 

 60 mm. 



The Imperial Eagle (A . heliaca) is said by Malherbe and by Loche 

 to occur in Algeria, and the former states that he had obtained it 

 from Guelma, which is not far from the Tunisian frontier. I have 

 no knowledge, however, of the species being met with at the present 

 day anywhere in the Regency. In Marocco, according to Colonel 

 Irby (Orn. Strs. Gib. p. 171), the Imperial Eagle, no doubt in its 

 western form (A. adalherti) , is said by Favier to be rare near Tangier, 

 and Col. Irby himself examined Moorish specimens in immature 

 plumage, and saw what he considered to be this Eagle on the wing. 



NISAETUS FASCIATUS (Vieillot). 

 BONELLI'S EAGLE. 



Aquila fasciata, Vieill. Mem. Linn. Soc. Paris, p. 152 (1822). 

 Nisaetus fasciatus, SJuirpe, Cat. Birds Brit. Mas. i, p. 250 ; Whitakcr, 



Ibis, 1898, p. 126 ; Erlanger, J. f. 0. 1898, p. 124. 

 Aquila Bonelli, Malhcrhe, Cat. liais. d'Ois. Alcj. p. 6 (1846). 

 Pseudaetus Bonellii, Lochc, Exjyl. Sci. Alg. Ois. i, p. 29 (1867). 

 Aquila Bonellii, Kocniy, J.f. 0. 1892, p. 338. 



