SPOTTED EAGLE. 



PLATE V. 



Aqnila navia, GOULD. 



" melanaetos, SAVIGNY. 



Falco ncevhis, TEMMINCK. 



" maculatus, TEMMINCK. 



MorpTinus congener, ALDBOVAKDTTS. 



THE Spotted Eagle is described as building its nest in high trees, 

 but probably other situations, such as those which its congeners 

 resort to, are by it also, in like manner, made use of. 



It appears, too, as will be shewn to be the case with the Osprey, 

 to permit small birds to build without molestation, let, or hindrance, 

 in the immediate vicinity of its nest, or even in the outer parts of 

 the nest itself. In reference to a similar case of this kind, one of 

 my correspondents has suggested that the motive may be to suffer 

 them to grow up there as a sort of living larder for the supply of 

 the future wants of the landlord. I do not, however, suppose that 

 the Spotted Eagle can with justice be suspected of any such f ad captan- 

 dum* intention. 



The eggs are generally two in number. They vary considerably in 

 colour and markings, are generally of an oval shape, and sometimes, 

 though but very rarely, taper towards the smaller end. 



One variety is white. 



A second, white, thickly spotted at the larger end. 



A third, white, one half towards the smaller end thickly spotted with 

 large spots. 



A fourth, white on half the surface; the other half so thickly- 

 spotted with red spots, as to be almost totally of that colour. 

 VOL. i. c 



