THE BALD EAGLE 



147 



Fig. 59. The Bald Eagle. 



Genus Haliaeetus Savigny. 

 17. IjALIJEETUS LEUCOCEPHALUS LEUCOCEPHALUS 



(Linnaeus). 352. 

 Bald Eagle. White-headed Eagle. 



Field Characters. A bird of prey of the largest size. Adult bird 

 having white head and tail. Head never bald. Body dusky. 



Immature birds lack the white head and tail. Legs not feathered 

 to the toes at any age or in any plumage. 



Description. Above, head, neck and tail, pure white; back and 

 wings dusky or brownish. Bill and eyes yellow. Below, throat, neck 

 and tail white ; body, brown or dusky. 



Immature birds are without the white head and tail, being uni- 

 formly brownish or dusky. Bill dark, and eyes brown. In any plum- 

 age the legs and feet are feathered only part way to the bases of the 

 toes. 



Measurements. Length, 32 to 36 inches ; wing, 22 to 24 inches ; 

 tail, 12 to 15 inches. 



Range. United States in general, found breeding in suitable lo- 

 calities. 



