1992 



THE DIURNAL BIRDS OF PREY 



In India, according to Jerdon, this eagle " prefers the neighborhood of hills, 

 and the bare open country, or thin and low jungle. It may frequently be seen 

 seated on the ground, or on a stone on the top of a low hill, till an hour after 

 sunrise, when it rises, apparently unwillingly, and takes a cast after game at no 

 great elevation, hunting slowly over the bushy valleys and ravines, and occasionally 

 over cultivated ground. If unsuccessful in its search, it reseats itself, and after an 



r 



IMPERIAL EAGLE. 

 (One-sixth natural size.) 



interval again takes wing, and this time soars to a great height, circling slowly in 

 the air, and transversing a large extent of country. It pounces on hares, florikins, 

 rats, lizards, and various other rodents and birds, and in default of these will eat 

 carrion. I have several times seen one captured in a net by a portion of a carcass 

 of a sheep being put down as a bait. When it does condescend to partake of car- 

 rion, it allows no other bird to approach till it has satisfied its hunger." 



