60 BRITISH BIRDS 



THE DUCK HAWK. See Harrier (Marsh). 



THE DULL WILLY. See Plover (Ringed). 



THE DUNLIN. See under Sandpipers. 



THE DUNNOCK. See Hedge Sparrow. 



THE GOLDEN EAGLE 



Derives its name from the reddish-golden colour of its 

 neck feathers. It has a powerful curved beak of a horn- 

 grey colour and a yellow cere; the naked parts of the 

 toes are of the same colour, but the legs are covered with 

 feathers. The rounded tail is crossed by alternate bands 

 of blue-grey and black; the general colour of the plumage 

 is brown with a yellowish shade, and the iris is reddish-brown. 



The Golden Eagle is practically extinct in this country; 

 for though we occasionally hear of one or two being 

 shot here and there, they are evidently adventurous 

 explorers from the Continent, paying for their temerity 

 with their lives very soon after venturing on our inhospi- 

 table shores, their large size and distinguished appearance 

 affording an easy aim and an irresistible temptation to 

 the shooter. 



At no very remote period they were common in the 

 north of England and in Scotland, and built their nests 

 in inaccessible mountain fastnesses ; but the lover of nature 

 is no longer to be gratified by the sight of their buoyant 

 flight over hill and vale, or their majestic figure perched 

 "like Patience on a monument" upon some towering alti- 

 tude overlooking hill and dale: but what cares the sports- 



