ACCIPITRES. XilO 



The second section of the great genus Falco is that of tlie 



IGNOBLE BIRDS OF PREY. 



So called, because they cannot he easily employed in falconry; a tribe 

 much more numerous than that of the Nobles, and which it is also neces- 

 sary to subdivide considerably. The fourth quill of their wings is almost 

 always the longest, and the first is very short, which produces the same 

 effect as if their wing had been obliquely truncated at the tip, wdience, 

 coeteris paribus, result diminished powers of flight; their bill also is not 

 so well armed, there being no lateral tooth near its point, but a mere slight 

 emargination about the middle of its length. 



Aquila, Briss. 



The Eagles, which constitute the first tribe, have a very stong bill, 

 straight at the base, and only curved towards the point. Among them we 

 find the largest species of the genus, and the most powerful of all the 

 birds of prey. 



Aquila, Cuv. 



Eagles, properly so called, have the tarsi feathered down to the root of 

 the toes; they inhabit mountains, and pursue birds and quadrupeds; 

 their wings are as long as the tail, their flight as high as it is swift, and 

 their courage superior to that of all other birds. 



F. fulvus, F. melanaetos, F. niqer, Gm. ;* Enl. 409; Naum. 

 pi. 8 and 9; Wils. VII. Iv. 1. (The Common Eagle). More or 

 less brown; the occiput fawn coloured; the superior half of the tail 

 white, and the remainder black. The most common species in all 

 mountainous countries. 



F. chrysaetos, Enl. 410. (The Ring-tail, or Royal Eagle). 

 Only differs from the preceding in its blackish tail, marked with irre- 

 gular ash coloured bands. We are assured that it is the Common 

 Eagle, with its perfect plumage, f 



F. impericdis, Bechst. ; F. mogihiiJc, Gm. ; Aquila heliaca, Savig. 

 Eg. Ois. pi. xiii. ; Vieillot, Gal. 9; Naum. pi. 6 and 7, Tem. Col. 

 16 and 152. (The Imperial Eagle). Still longer wings; a large 

 whitish spot on the scapulars ; nostrils transverse ; tail black ; the supe- 

 rior portion undulated with grey. The female fawn coloured, with 

 broAvii spots. Its port is heavier than that of the Common Eagle, 

 and it is a still more fearful object to other birds. It inhabits the 

 high mountains of the south of Europe, and is the true subject of 

 the exaggerated tale, propagated by the antients, relating to the 

 power, courage, and magnanimity of their Golden Eagle. 



* The real species is well represented, Enl. 409; it is Falc. fulvus. At certain 

 stages of moulting, the white at the hase of the feathers may be seen; it then forms 

 the F. fulvus canadensis, Edw. I. As to the F. melanaetos, it is merely based upon 

 some vague indications of the antients, and the same only is quoted in pi. Enl. 409. 

 Finally, the F. Niger, or Black-backed Eagle of Brown; is merely a slight difference 

 of age. 



t Temm. Man. d'Ornith. I. p. 39. 



