GOLDEN EAGLE 



PLATE IV, 



Aquila chrysattus, LINN^US. 



Falcofulvus, NAUMANN. 



LIKE the preceding species, the Golden Eagle locates its 

 nest among high and inaccessible rocks and precipices, 

 or on the rifted bole of some hoary tree, which formerly grew 

 up in vigour in the lonely solitude, but now only remains 

 a mournful wreck, "lean, rent, and beggared by the strumpet 

 wind." Occasionally, though less frequently, a forest tree is 

 pitched upon, reference being naturally had, as was the case 

 with other predatory freebooters in the olden days, to a 

 good look-out both for purposes of aggression and self- 

 defence. 



Nidification commences towards the beginning of March, 

 even while the snow is yet on the ground. 



The nest is flat and very large ; it is always, where pos- 

 sible, re-constructed of, or rather built and rebuilt upon, the 

 old materials, the same eyrie being made use of for many 

 successive years, or it may even be for many generations. 

 It has no lining, according to some authors, but is stated 

 by others to be lined a little with grass, fern, moss, or 

 wool, and where these cannot be procured, or are not in 

 sufficient plenty, with small sticks, twigs, rushes, sea-weed, 



