212 
GOLDEN EAGLE 
349. Aquila chrysetos. 35 in. 
Legs feathered to the toes. Plumage blackish-brown, 
adults having the lengthened feathers on the nape, 
golden-brown, and the tail more or less mixed with 
white; leg feathers rusty. These large, handsome, well- 
built birds of prey are fairly abundant in thinly set- 
tled country west of the Miss., especially in mountains 
and foot-hills. They are very powerful birds and a 
single pair of them will rule the whole country in which 
they reside. They are very shy in the presence of 
man and will never attack a persou or show fight 
unless wounded or surprised at their meals. Their 
food consist of prairie dogs, rodents, ducks and even 
fawns. 
Notes.—A shrill a * kee-kee-kee.” 
Nest.—A very bulky structure of large sticks, lined 
with twigs, needles and in some eases evergreen; eggs 
creamy-white, spotted, splashed and clouded with vari- 
ous shades of brown and gray (2.90 x 2.50). 
Range.—West of the Miss., from Mexico northward; 
rarely eastward to the Atlantic coast. 
