CHAPTER XII. 



THE GOLDEN EAGLE AND OTHER BIRDS OF PREY 



FROM time immemorial the eagle has been invested with the 

 stamp of royalty. We have been familiar with the Roman Eagles from 

 our earliest schoolboy days, and most of the present day Sovereigns in 

 Europe have the eagle in some form or other upon their coat of arms. 

 Even the Republics of America and Mexico have chosen the eagle to 

 form some part of their heraldry. 



What is it that has singled out this bird above all others as the 

 emblem of authority, conquest and even freedom? Was it not its 

 regal bearing, its strength and power, its fierce disposition that first re- 

 commended it to the old world conquerors, who handed it on to their 

 Caesars and Kaisers? Ever since it has been idealised in our story 

 books, and we have come to look upon it as the bird of birds. 



And so it is in many respects. No bird has so markedly that pierc- 

 ing glance, those overhanging brows, that noble poise of head and that 

 grace and perfect equilibrium in the air. The vulture may be larger 

 and also graceful on the wing, but there is something mean and dis- 

 reputable about its naked head and neck, set so deeply between its 

 shoulders. The yellow eye of the hawk may flash more fiercely, but the 

 bird lacks size and dignity, while there is something indescribably comic 

 about the owl. 



There are a great many kinds of eagles, but the one most familiar 

 to us is the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetus), so called on account of the 

 light colour of its long neck feathers. In size this bird may be com- 

 pared with a good sized turkey. Its spread of wing may reach six or 

 seven feet, though the latter measurement is unusual. 



Of a general dark brown colour, it has some white on the wings 

 and tail, the tips of which are black. The powerful talons are of a 

 bright yellow colour, with long sharp claws of black. The legs are 

 feathered right down to the feet. The beak, which is not as large as 

 in some species, is black, with bright yellow base. The eyes, which 

 are set deeply under beetling brows, are of a rich brown. 



