FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. 



165 



GENUS HALI^ETUS. 



352. Haliseetus leucocephalus (Linn.). BALD EAGLE. 



Tarsus feathered only half way down, middle and outer toes without 

 web ; wing pointed, secondaries much shorter 

 than primaries ; tail less than two thirds as 

 long as wing, rounded. Adults. Head, 

 neck, tail, and tail coverts snowy white ; rest 

 of plumage blackish or dark brownish, 

 feathers edged with brown. Young: first 

 year wholly black except for white bases of 

 feathers showing through ; second or third 

 year under parts mixed black and white ; 

 head and neck black, rest of upper parts 

 mixed gray, brown, black, and white. Male : 

 length 30-85, extent about 7 feet, wing 

 20.00-25.90, tail 11.00-15.25, bill 1.85-2.25. 

 Female : length 34-43, extent about 7-8 feet, 

 wing 23.50-28.00, tail 12.50-16.00, bill 1.90- 

 2.35. 



Distribution. Nearly the whole of North 

 America, from northern Mexico to Alaska. 

 Breeds in suitable localities throughout its 

 range. 



Nest. A bulky mass of sticks, seaweed, From Biol f i | n . 1 r f c u u r S U> S> Dept 

 rushes, turf, vines, or plant stalks, on cliffs j^ 234. 



or in tall trees. Eggs : usually 2, white. 



Food. Mainly fish, but also squirrels, rabbits, prairie dogs, lambs, 

 carrion, and waterfowl. 



The bald eagle was unfortunately selected as our national emblem 

 instead of the nobler golden eagle, as it is at times both a scavenger 

 and a robber. It lives largely on fish, diving for them and taking 

 them itself, stealing them from a fish hawk, or, in company with 

 ravens and vultures, feeding on dead fish cast up by the waves along 

 river banks. 



It must be acknowledged, however, that the eagles show great 

 skill in their piratical exploits and courage in defense of their nests, 

 and that they have a noble, commanding bearing which is not alto- 

 gether belied by their daily deeds. 



GENUS FALCO. 



General Characters. Cutting edge of upper mandible with a tooth-like 

 projection separated by notch from hooked tip ; nostril small, circular, 

 with a conspicuous bony tubercle ; wings long and pointed. 



KEY TO ADULTS. 



1. One primary with inner web cut out. 



2. Back of tarsus almost covered by feathers from sides. 



rusticolua, p. 166. 

 2'. Back of tarsus broadly bare. 

 3. Grayish brown above mexicanus, p. 166. 



