THE GOLDEN EAGLE. 241 



into two or more species. Were I so minded, I could relate 

 more than one ludicrous incident to this effect.* 



The birds are classed, it is to be observed, in accordance 

 with Jenyns' " Manual of British Vertebrate Animals." Of 

 such as I have anything worthy of notice to relate, I have 

 gone into some few details, which will not, I trust, be con- 

 sidered altogether devoid of interest. 



The Golden Eagle (Kungs-0rn t or King's-Eagle, Sw. ; 

 Aquila Chrysaetos, Vigors), though occasionally seen in the 

 vicinity of Ronnum, was scarce. In the summer season 

 this bird confines himself principally to the more northern 

 parts of Scandinavia ; but during the autumn and winter he 

 is pretty common in the south of Sweden. Varieties have 

 now and then been met with in the peninsula. We are 

 told of one killed in Scania some years ago that was perfectly 

 white; and of another that was so in a great degree. A 

 large portion migrate. 



Though the golden eagle for the most part breeds in the 

 face of a precipitous rock, he at times has his eyrie on the top 

 of a lofty pine, or other tree. The nest, which is not built 

 for a single year, but for life-time, is nearly six feet in 

 diameter. It is flat, and without any visible depression in 

 the centre ; and is formed of sticks, heather, reeds, &c. The 

 female lays two, and occasionally three eggs, of a dirty-white 

 colour, marked with red-brown spots, and sits a month. 



* When speaking of naturalists, and when grumbling as well he might 

 at their having made out no fewer than thirty-six kinds of thrashes, Pontop- 

 pidan says : " They give themselves a particular deal of trouble to find out 

 the characteristic marks of each kind of bird in his generation. Yet I am of 

 opinion that one may, in this as in other things, multiply species without 

 occasion, and thereby confuse one's ideas, instead of clearing up or estab- 

 lishing them ; for between some of these the difference is so small, that I look 

 upon it to be rather accidental than specific." 



VOL. II. R 



