118 GOLDEN EAGLE. 



dotus that it was considered a capital crime to kill one 

 of them. They follow in the train of armies, for the 

 purpose of preying on the bodies of the slain ; and it is 

 stated, that they are able to perceive their prey at dis- 

 tances which are infinitely beyond the reach of human 

 vision. There are no animals existing whose appearance 

 and habits are more disgusting and filthy than those of 

 the Aquiline Vultures. 



The male is about three feet three inches in length, and 

 the female is somewhat larger. The quill-feathers of the 

 wings are black, having their outer edges, except those 

 of the two exterior ones, of a hoary colour. The general 

 colour of the male is white, and of the female brown. 

 The two outermost primaries of each wing, in the male, 

 and the four outermost in the female, are entirely black. 

 The head and neck are naked. The beak is black and 

 hooked, and has at its base a yellow cere. 



2. FALCON, OR EAGLE TRIBE. 



These birds differ, in many respects, from the vultures. 

 They seldom prey on carrion ; but in almost all cases 

 kill the animals which they devour. Many of the species 

 eat fish, and some of them subsist even on reptiles and 

 serpents. 



Golden Eagle. Like some others of its tribe, this 

 majestic bird forms its nest, or aery, on the ledges of the 

 highest and most inaccessible mountains, and the young 

 ones are carefully and regularly fed and attended, both by 

 the male and female parents. From their strength, 

 their courage, and the circumstance of their despising 

 weak foes, these Eagles have obtained, among birds, 

 the same royal appellation which the lion* has among 



