THE GOLDEN EAGLE— RING-TAIL. 79 



" The eggs are about spherical, the degree of prolation being 

 slight, and there being usually no appreciable difference in the 

 shape of the opposite ends. Four selected specimens measure, 

 respectively, 2.65 by 2.15 ; 2.90 by 2,40; 3.00 by 2.35 ; 3.10 by 

 2.25 — figures illustrating both the difference in absolute size and 

 the variation in shape. None are so large as the one said by 

 Audubon to have been 3.50 by 2.50 ; but I can readily believe that 

 such dimensions are sometimes reached. Among the twelve, only 

 one is white and unmarked ; this closely resembles a Bald Eagle's. 

 The rest are whitish (white shaded just perceptibly with neutral 

 tint), variously spotted and splashed, without the slightest ap- 

 proach to uniformity in the size, number, or pattern of the 

 markings. The color ranges from ' bloody-brown,' or rich sienna, 

 to bistre and umber. There are many other spots, more or less 

 obscure, and all apparently below the surface, showing grayish, 

 drab, purplish, and neutral tint, by overlaying of the whitish cal- 

 careous matter in different thicknesses. Most of the markings are 

 sharp edged and distinct, but others shade off gradually, while 

 many are confluent, making irregular patches. As a rule they are 

 pretty evenly distributed, but in some specimens are chieflj' gath- 

 ered about one or the other end, where the coloration consequently 

 becomes continuous." 



Sr. Char. Head and neck behind light brownish-fulvous, varying in shade, frequently light 

 yellowish, generally darker ; tail at base white, often for the greater part of its length ; the ter- 

 minal portion glossy black; other parts rich purplish-brown, frequently very da'k, nearly clear 

 black on under parts of body ; primaries shining black ; secondaries purplish-brown ; tibia; and 

 tarsi brownish fulvous, generally mixed with dark ashy. 



Yourigc-r. Entire plumage lighter, and mixed with dull fulvous ; under parts of body nearly 

 uniform with upper. 



Length, 30.00 to 40.00 ; wing, 20.00 to 25.00 ; tail, I2.0Oto 15.00. 



Iris brown. Bill horn-color ; cere and feet yellow. 



