FALCO. BIRDS. 189 



F. arundiaceus, Gmel. ; Le balbuzard, BufF. ; Osprey Eagle, Lath. ; Flus adler, 

 Bechst. 



This species makes its nest in the crevices of rocks, or on the tops of tall trees, 

 and occasionally on the ground among reeds, laying from two to four white eggs, 

 spotted with reddish, rather smaller than those of the domestic hen. It inhabits 

 the banks of large rivers and lakes, and feeds principally on fish. It is found in 

 most of the countries of Europe. 



F. albicitta, Lath. Lin. (F. ossifragus, Gmel.) Sea Eagle or Os- 

 prey. Plumage of a clear brown, spotted with deeper colour ; 

 bill and iris almost black in youth ; colour uniform ash-coloured, 

 or brown in the adult ; tail not reaching beyond the wings. Two 

 feet four inches long. Inhabits the coasts of England, Holland, 

 and France Selby, lllust. pi. 3, and 3.* 



F. albicaudus, Gmel. ; Le grand Pygargue, BufF. ; Fisch-adler, Bechst. ; Cine- 

 reous Eagle, Lath. The young, F. ossifragus, melanaetos, Gmel. ; L'orfraie, 

 BufF. ; Sea Eagle, Lath. ; Golden Eagle, Penn. 



The Greenlanders, who kill these birds with arrows, or catch them by snares laid 

 on the snow, eat their flesh, make under garments or beds of their skins sewed to- 

 gether, and use the bill and claws as amulets in the treatment of various complaints. 

 This species possesses astonishing capability of enduring the cravings of hunger ; 

 and Mr Selby mentions an instance where the bird was permitted, through the in- 

 attention of its keeper, to be without food for several weeks. 



F. leucocephalus, Lin. White Headed Eagle. Plumage very ir- 

 regularly spotted and variegated with light and deep brown ; 

 bill black ; iris clear brown ; in the young chocolate brown ; 

 bill, feet, and iris yellowish white in the adults; tail always 

 extending beyond the wings. Inhabits Arctic regions. Wilson, 

 Ornith. iv. pi. 36. 

 U Aigle a tete blanche, Cuv. ; L'Aigle Pygargue, Vieill. ; Bald Eagle, Lath. 



F. vocifer, Shaw. Brown ferruginous, undulated with black ; head, 

 neck, breast, and tail, white. Size of the Osprey. Inhabits 

 Southern Africa. Shaw, vii. 94. 



F. maculosus, (Aquila maculosa, Vieill.) Head, neck, and ( back 

 black ; chin, throat, and breast white, each feather streaked with 

 black ; abdomen black, with round spots of white ; vent and 

 thighs rust-coloured ; bill and cere blue ; iris yellow ; legs orange. 

 Two feet long. Inhabits Guiana. Vieill. Ois. de I'Amer. Sept. 



F. Linnceetus, Horsf. Plumage of a reddish brown, slightly tinged 

 with purple ; tail beneath, except the tip, whitish ; cere yellow ; 



bill black ; feet bluish. Two feet long. Inhabits Java Lin. 



Trans, xiii. p. 138. 



F. niveus, Tern. Plumage above fuscous, white beneath ; base of 

 the quill-feathers white ; tail-feathers, with the exception of the 

 two middle ones, whitish on the edges of their inner web, and 

 bright brown on the other parts, and transversely banded with deep- 

 er brown; legs yellow. Two feet long. Java. Tern. PI. Col. 127- 



3. HAWKS. 



Wings short, ending at two-thirds of the length of the tail; Jlrst 

 wing-feather shorter than the second, the third nearly equal 

 to ihe fourth ; feet with long tarsi ; toes long, the intermediate 

 the longest ; claws muck bent and very sharp. 



