255 
mens with which to compare them, I can only conjecturally 
refer them to H. Pelagicus. 
The shape of the bill and feet, and the excessively rough 
shagreen-like soles to the feet, would sufficiently prove that 
they were sea, or fishing Eagles, even if I had not myself 
observed them in the act of striking at, and capturing, fish. 
Their huge size, (female ; length, 34; wing 26: male; length 
32°38; wing, 25:°0) would alone preclude the possibility of their 
belonging, either to, Polioaetus Ichthaetus, or Pontoactus Leuco- 
gaster. Besides, they are true Haliacti, and not Pontoacti, the 
tarsi covered posteriorly (as on the sides) with small, (and not 
large,) irregularly placed scales. In (this respect, their tarsi 
correspond precisely with those of H. Leucoryphus. Again, Dr. 
Jerdon tells us, that Pontoaetus Leucogaster has been separated 
by Hodgson, as Cuncuma, differing, in the tarsi being less feather- 
ed in front, than the true Haliacti, whereas these birds have the 
tarsi considerably more feathered than Haliactus Leucoryphus 
ever has. Moreover, the transverse scutation does not descend 
on to the foot, as in Pontoactus, in fact, there is even less of this 
on the front of the tarsi, in these two specimens, than in ZH. 
Leucoryphus. 
From this latter species they differ, first, in the much deeper 
and far less sinuated* upper mandible; 2nd, in the tarsus, feathered. 
in front, for from five-eighths to three-fifths of the length; 3rd, in 
the excessively rounded, or in fact, wedge-shaped tail, and 4th, in 
the very long and broad upper tail coverts. Moreover, I have 
specimens of H. Leucoryphus, in every stage of plumage, from the 
half-fledged nestling, to the old adult, andthe plumage of the 
two birds that I provisionally identify with Pedagicus, differs, 
most conspicuously, from any stage of Leucoryphus. 
So far as the very slight sinuation of the bill goes, these 
birds correspond apparently, with H. Adbicilla. I have no spe- 
cimen of this latter species, but the large figures of the head, in 
Macgillivray, (Fig. 217, Vol. III.) and in Gray’s genera of 
birds, (Aquiline, Details, No. 8,) agree in this respect, although, 
it must be admitted that, in every other respect, they differ so 
widely, that no one would imagine, that they were intended to 
represent the same species. 
These Eagles, be they what species they may, (and if not 
Pelagicus, they may be new, in which case 1 name them 
Brooksi, after my valued friend and coadjutor W. HK. Brooks, 
C. E.,) are excessively wary. I have seen many examples, 
* According to Dr. Jerdon, Pontoaetus Leucogaster has a more sinuated 
bill than even . Leucoryphus. 
