THE GOLDEN EAGLE. 
aS) 
that the buzzards were loth to forsake their ancient citadel. Upon the plat- 
form of accumulated sticks and rubbish, some three feet in diameter, was 
placed a copious covering of fresh fir twigs. Slightly imbedded in these and 
in the few chance feathers, lay two pale blue eggs, unmarked. The matter 
of landing the trophies was safely accomplished, in spite of choking pressure 
on the short ribs, and the eggs were found to be somewhat incubated, thus 
assuring a ‘‘full,”’ if not quite representative set. 
No. 209. 
GOLDEN EAGLE. 
A. O. U. No. 349. Aquila chrysaetos (Linn.). 
Description.—Adults: General plumage rich dark brown, sometimes paling 
on wing-coverts, etc.; the lanceolate feathers of occiput and cervix buffy-tipped 
and tawny-edged (scarcely “golden,” but the name arises here); wing-quills 
and tail blackish, the latter clouded or obscurely barred for the basal two-thirds 
with grayish brown and whitish; tarsi, fully feathered to the toes, paler or 
whitish. The birds become somewhat gray with age. Jinmature: Like adult, 
but basal two-thirds of tail plain white contrasting with terminal black ; tarsi still 
paler or white. Adult male length 30.00-36.00 (762-914.4) ; wing about 24.00 
(609.6) ; tail about 14.50 (368.3); bill 1.60 (40:6); tarsus 3.75 (95.3). Adult 
female length 35.00-40.00 (889-1016); wing about 26.00 (660.4); tail 15.50 
(393-7); bill 1.80 (45.7); tarsus 4.18 (106.2). Extent of wing from six and 
one-half to seven and one-half feet. 
Recognition Marks.—Largest; not easily distinguished at distance from 
immature Bald Eagle; feathered tarsi, of course, distinctive. 
Nesting.—Nest: a bulky platform of sticks, on cliffs, or, more rarely, in 
trees. Eggs: 2 or 3, dull whitish, usually speckled, spotted, blotched or stained 
distinctly and faintly with reddish brown. Av. size, 2.96 x 2.32 (75.2 x 58.9). 
Season: March-April; one brood. 
General Range.—North America south to Mexico, and northern parts of 
the Eastern Hemisphere. Breeding range in the United States practically re- 
stricted to the mountainous parts of unsettled regions. 
Range in Washington.— Not common resident, chiefly in the Cascade Moun- 
tains. 
Authorities.—| Lewis and Clark, Hist. Ex. (1814) Ed. Biddle: Coues, Vol. 
If. p. 188.] Lawrence, Auk, Vol. IX. Jan. 1892, p. 43. ‘TT. L?. D'. Ra. B. E. 
Specimens.—P'. Prov. C. BN. 
BECAUSE of the racial weakness for symbols and striking gener- 
alizations, we have been taught that the Golden Eagle is the embodiment 
of all regal qualities, including courage, magnanimity, and valor in defense 
