490 ORNITHOLOGICAL SKETCHES 



I subjoin measurements of two Spanish specimens : 



I managed while in Spain to collect some notes about the 

 Aquila imperialis and the Aquila adalberti of that country; 

 and before making a few remarks with regard to the eventual 

 union or separation of these so-called species, I will mention 

 in what districts and under what circumstances I saw them. 



When I laid out a carcass for the vultures in the Royal 

 preserves of the Pardo at Madrid, a very light-brown, almost 

 yellowish bird, about the size of an Imperial Eagle, appeared 

 almost simultaneously with the Cinereous Vultures. It made 

 a few sweeps round the place, and then pitched on the ground 

 near a vulture. It was just the colour of a Sea-Eagle, but its 

 flight, bearing, and feathered feet at once showed me that it 

 was a " noble " eagle. Before I could fire it rose, to follow a 

 vulture that was flying off with a large lump of flesh. Two 

 more of these eagles, coloured precisely like the first, very 

 soon arrived. They sailed round our ambush, settled on the 

 nearest trees, and hung about the place for fully half an hour 

 without coming down to the bait, so that I had an opportunity 

 of observing them perfectly. Their cry was a sort of grunt- 

 ing sound, and quite reminded me of the call of the Sea- 

 Eagle not the sharp nervous scream of that bird, so familiar 

 to every sportsman who has often lain in wait under its nest, 



