GOLDEN EAGLE. 93 



when circling liigli in the air its flight is graceful and resembles closely 

 that of the Golden Eagle. In fact, in parts of the West it is known 

 by the name Eagle. 



DESCEIPTION. 



Legs densely feathered in front and on sides down to base of toes. 

 Width of bill at corners, 1.70 to 1.90 inches (42 to 48"""). Upper parts 

 generally, and thighs rusty; the former streaked longitudinally and the 

 latter transversely; tail white, washed with ashy gray or rusty; lower 

 parts pure white. 



Length: 22.50 to 25 inches (572 to 035"""); extent, 54 to 50.50 inches 

 (1370 to 1435"'"'); Aving, 15.90 to 18.80 inches (404 to 477'""'); tail, 9.50 

 to 11 inches (242 to 280"'"'). 



Table showinfj the resuUs of an examination of 1 slomach of the Squirrel Hawk 

 ( A rch i b It teo few ugi n e u s ) . 



GOLDEN EAGLE. 



Aquila chrysaetos. 

 [Plate 13— Adult.] 



The Golden Eagle inhabits thenorthern portions of the northern hemi- 

 si)here ranging south in North America to southern California, Arizona, 

 New Mexico, Texas, and Georgia. It seems to be nowhere a common 

 si)ecies in the East, but it is much more numerous in the mountainous 

 parts of the far West. It is contined chiefly to the mountains and more 

 northern latitudes, where it breeds. It is able to endure intense cold, 

 and sometimes remains far north in winter. In fact, its movements 

 at that season are more in the form of wandering for food than regular 

 migration to the soutli. 



The foodconsistsmainly of mammals and birds, of which spermoi)hiles, 

 rabbits, fawns, lambs, turkeys, grouse, water fowl and other large 

 birds form the xn'incipal part, though offal and carrion are sometimes 

 taken. 



Audubon speaks of the food as follows : " Young fawns, raccoons, 

 hares, wild turkeys and other large birds are their usual food, and they 

 devour putrid flesh only when haid pressed." (Ornitli. Biography, 

 vol. II, p. 407.) In the north, Mr. MacFarlane states that they feed on 

 ducks, mice, and other small animals, partridges, and the fawn of the 

 reindeer. (Hist. North Am. Birds, vol. iii, p. 318.) 



Capt. Charles E. Bendire, siieakiug of them in Oregon, says: ''They 



