170 GOLDEN EAGLF,. 



south the birds become less frequent. It also 

 inhabits North America, but appears to be there 

 generally rare, although in the United States, 

 according to Audubon, it is frequently seen. In 

 the fur countries it again becomes rare ;* and 

 the above mentioned naturalist saw a single spe- 

 cimen only on the coast of Labrador, " sailing 

 at the height of a few yards above the moss- 

 covered surface of the dreary rocks." f 



In confinement this bird is easily kept, becomes 

 tame, or accustomed to its keeper, but never very 

 familiar, and, so far as our observations have 

 extended, will never partake of carrion, or food 

 in a state of putrescence. 



Mr Thompson has, however, made some obser- 

 vations which would warrant us to allow a greater 

 degree of docility to this bird than we were 

 previously inclined to grant it. " My friend, 

 Richard Langtry, Esq. of Fortwilliam, near Bel- 

 fast, has at present a bird of this species, which 

 is extremely docile and tractable. It was taken 

 last summer from a nest in Inverness-shire, and 

 came into his possession about the end of Sep- 

 tember. This bird at once became attached to 

 its owner, who, after having it about a month, 

 ventured to give it liberty, a privilege which was 

 not abused, as it came to the lure whenever called. 



* Richardson. t Ornith. Biog. ii. p. 466. 



