By the Rev. A. C. Smith. 341 
been killed by the gamekeeper at Littlecote, who discovered it 
feeding on a dead doe, and so gorged with venison as to be unable 
to fly off; on enquiry, however, I learn from Mr. Popham that 
the species was mistaken, and that it was the ‘Cinereous,’ or ‘ White- 
tailed’ (not the Golden) Eagle, which was killed in his park; the 
confusion seems to have arisen from the unwonted size of the 
specimen killed, its length being 37 inches, and its breadth from 
tip to tip of the extended wings eight feet, a very unusual magni- 
tude for this species. There is, however, in addition to the fulvous 
or golden plumage of the one, and the white tail of the other, 
(whence their specific names,) an unfailing mark of distinction by 
which these two species of Eagles may be distinguished at all ages, 
which I will give in the words of Mr. Yarrell: “In the foot of 
the Golden Eagle each toe is covered with small reticulations as far 
as the last phalanx, then with three broad scales. In the foot of 
the White-tailed Eagle the reticulations are confined to the tarsus, 
the whole length of each toe being covered with broad scales.” 
But the Golden Eagle is a very much rarer bird so far south, and 
indeed is almost unknown in these latitudes; and I am inclined with 
Mr. Knox, the amusing author of “Ornithological Rambles in 
Sussex,” to regard with considerable suspicion the announcement 
in local papers, which of late have frequently caught my eye, of the 
occurrence of the Golden Eagle in the neighbouring counties of 
Somerset and Berks. In addition to the example of the White- 
tailed Eagle, or Erne, given above, I am informed by the Rev. G. 
Marsh, of Sutton Benger, (whose thorough knowledge of birds, 
and ready kindness in imparting information have been most ser- 
viceable to me,) that a splendid specimen of this species was caught 
in a trap, in May, 1841, by Lord Suffolk’s gamekeeper in Braydon 
forest; it had previously been observed by the keeper soaring very 
high in the air, and it committed great devastations amongst the 
game: consequently a gin was set for it, and in this it was caught, 
and when first found by the keeper was alive, and but little 
injured; its fierceness, however, prevented its being taken alive, for 
the man dared not remove it from the trap, till he had killed it: 
it is now preserved in his Lordship’s house at Charlton. In ad- 
