THE EAGLE-LIKE SUBFAMILY 



1985 



Booted Hawk 

 Eagle 



only twenty-four inches. It may be easily recognized by the conspic- 

 uous white patch on the shoulder. In the greater relative length of the 

 wing, and the generally brown color of the iris, it differs from the two 

 more typical members of the genus, and approaches the true eagles, although it has 

 the characteristic long legs of the present group. This bird is subject to great vari- 

 ation with regard to the color of the plumage of the under parts; a difference 



BOOTED HAWK EAGLE. 

 (One- fourth natural size.) 



which was long considered to be due to age, and has given rise to much discussion. 

 Dr. Sharpe, for instance, considered that the dark colored variety represented on 

 the left in our illustration was the immature dress, while the light individual on 

 the right was an individual in the adult plumage. Dr. Scully, writing from 

 observations made in Gilgit, states, however, that in that district ' ' the dark and 

 light forms are about equally common, the difference in color not being dependent 

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