GOLDEN EAGLE. 171 



It not only permits itself to be handled in any 

 way, but seems to derive pleasure from the appli- 

 cation of the hand to the legs and plumage. This 

 Eagle was hooded after the manner of the hunting 

 hawks for some time, but the practice was aban- 

 doned ; and although it may yet be requisite, if 

 the bird be trained for the chase, hooding is 

 otherwise unnecessary, as it remains quiet and 

 contented for any length of time, and no matter 

 how far carried on its master's arm. When this 

 Eagle is at large, my friend has only to hold out 

 his arm towards it, which, as soon as perceived 

 even from a distance, it flies to and perches on. 

 It is more partial to alighting on trees than the 

 Sea Eagles, (which are kept also,) and, stationed 

 on their tops, keeps its master in view, following 

 him about the demesne, and where plantations 

 often intervene, flying from one to another in the 

 direction he walks, indolently remaining as long 

 as possible where it perches, consistently with 

 keeping him in sight."* 



The states of plumage in which the adult and 

 the young birds of this species appear, being so 

 different and decidedly marked, gave rise to the 

 long prevalent opinion that they were distinct. 

 Papers were written advocating both sides of the 

 question ; and it was not perhaps until within 



* Mag. of Zool. and Dot. ii. r/. 46. 



