154 LAND BIRDS 
Eagle.” It frequents the prairies and desert plains, and, 
unlike others of its family, cares little to be near water. 
Its food is small mammals and reptiles, seldom birds, and 
it is one of the few species that the law should protect. 
In hunting, it flies low over the fields, carrying its food 
to a low perch to devour at its leisure. Late in the 
afternoon it may be seen circling gracefully high in 
the air; at such times it appears not unlike the 
golden eagle, which doubtless accounts for its nickname, 
Prairie Eagle. It makes no attempt to defend its nest 
when molested by men, but flies away with scarcely a 
protest. 
Incubation is complete in twenty-eight days, the young 
remaining in the nest six to eight weeks. This difference 
in time is the difference between a cold and a warm 
climate, the young of the former maturing less rapidly. 
349. GOLDEN EAGLE. 
Aquila chrysaétos. 
Famity: The Falcons, Hawks, Eagles, ete. 
Length: Male 30.00-35.00 ; female 35.00-40.00. 
Adults: Entire plumage dark brown; the lanceolate feathers of high 
neck and the feathers of tarsus golden brown ; tail blackish, irregu- 
larly barred with dark gray. 
Young : Similar to adult, but upper half of the tail plain white. 
Downy Young: Grayish white, grayer beneath. 
Geographical Distribution: Northern portions of the northern hemi- 
sphere, chiefly in mountainous regions. 
Breeding Range: Throughout its habitat, the mountainous regions of 
California. 
Breeding Season: February, March, and April. 
Nest : Bulky, sometimes 4 feet deep and 5 feet in diameter ; of sticks, 
lined with straw, leaves, hair, or feathers ; usually placed in trees on 
a steep mountain side, 
and 
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