69 
EAGLE, WHITE-TAILED. 
Sea EAGLE. 
Fatco aLBIcILLa, Penn. 
CinEreous, Great Erne, orn Sea Hate. 
The White-tailed Eagle is much more common 
as a species than the Golden Eagle, and on some 
parts of the coast of Scotland, more particularly 
in the north, is frequently observed. It may be 
seen perched on the high rocks and cliffs that over- 
hang the sea, watching its opportunity to capture 
the food in which it delights. Their favourite food 
consists of fish, which they pounce upon while 
swimming near the surface of the water. Aquatic 
birds also frequently become their prey. ‘This 
species possesses astonishing capacity of enduring 
the cravings of hunger, and instances are on 
record of its having shewn undiminished vigour 
after fasting for four or five weeks. Being of a 
roving disposition, it has frequently been killed in 
England, Ireland, and Wales. They generally 
breed in the most inaccessible rocks and cliffs, 
The eggs, one or two in number, are of a uniform 
ereyish white colour, about the same size as those 
of the Golden Eagle. In the young bird the tail 
feathers are of a dark brown colour, in which state 
it has been called the Sea Eagle by many authors. 
