Sub-Familv AOUILIN.^^., The Eagles. 



Char. Size large, and all parts very strongly organized. Bill large, com- 

 pressed, straight at base, curved and acute at tip ; wings long, pointed ; tail ample, 

 generally rounded ; tarsi moderate, very strong ; claws much curved, very sharp 

 and strong. 



There are said to be about seventy species of Eagles, of all 

 countries, but this is probably considerably in excess of the true 

 number. It has recently been determined that in the United 

 States and Canada there are — excluding the Osprey — but two 

 species ; the " Bird of Washington " (H. JVashvigioJiii, Aud.J 

 being now considered as simply the young of the Bald or White- 

 headed Eagle. 



Genus AQUILA, Moehring. 



Gen. Ch.-ik. General form very large and strong, and adapted to long continued and swift 

 flight. Bill large, strong, compressed, and hooked at the tip ; wings long, pointed ; tarsi rather 

 short, very strong, feathered to the toes ; claws sharp, strong, curved. 



This genus is thought to include twenty species, and these 

 are regarded as the true Eagles. 



Aquila Chrysaetus, Linn.eus. 



THE GOLDEN EAGLE: RING-TAIL. 

 PL.4TE XVII. 



This is the Aquila Canadensis of Cassin, Baird, and most 

 late local American writers, the American bird having until com- 

 paratively recently been considered as specifically distinct from 

 the A. chrysactos of Europe and Britain. 



The Golden Eagle is described in most ornithological works 

 as rare. Richardson and Swainson in their P'auna Boreali Am- 

 ericana restrict it to the " recesses of the sub-alpine country which 

 skirts the Rocky Mountains," and state that it " is seldom seen 



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