The Avifauna. 



35 



its summit with the utmost ease. 



The Golden Eagle associates with the 

 Western Redtail to a greater or less degree 

 while soaring about in air but is easily 

 recognizable by its plumage and superior 

 size. The nesting sites of this eagle vary 

 according to surroundings. I have never 

 seen a nest placed elsewhere than in a tree, 

 though I am informed that a few pair nest 

 on clififs in the region south of this county. 

 In the mountains, pines are frequently 

 selected and sycamores share the honors as 



and all were so situated in the trees that 

 they afforded a view of the canon, doubtless 

 a precaution on the part of the builders. 

 The nests are composed chiefly of sticks 

 and twigs of varying sizes, forming a com- 

 pact mass. In the center of the nest a 

 slight depression is lined with grass, stubble 

 and various other materials. 



The accompanying illustration is of a 

 nest in a white pine on the side of a ravine, 

 and is difficult of approach, owing to the 

 steepness of the cafion. The nest which is 



Eggs and Nest of Golden Eagle. 



^well. During the spring months the nests 

 -may usually be seen at a distance owing to 

 the sparing foliage of the pine and the bare- 

 ness of the sycamores. Live-oaks are 

 chiefly used in the valley regions, the dense 

 foliage affording a hiding place for the nest. 

 Ordinarily the nest of this eagle is easily 

 told from that of the Western Redtailed 

 Hawk, owing to its greater size and flatness 

 of construction, though there are rare 

 exceptions to this rule. I have examined 

 several nests placed on the sides of gulches 



an average one is placed 75 feet up, near 

 the top, and the tree being two feet across 

 at its base and partially dead presents a 

 formidable appearance to one who reaches 

 it and gazes at the nest so far above. Near 

 by is a waterfall, which lends to the en- 

 chantment of the cafion. A set of two 

 eggs was taken from this nest February 29, 

 1892, and were slightly incubated. The 

 nest has not since been used by the birds. 

 The usual nesting time seems to vary from 

 February 25th to the middle of March for 



