191 



CHAP. III. 

 BIRDS OF RAPACIOUS KINDS IN GENERAL. 



THE EAGLE AND ITS AFFINITIES. 



THE golden eagle is the largest and noblest of all the 

 class of birds that bears the kingly name ; and as the 

 Jion obtains pre-eminence amongst animals, so the 

 eagle is allowed to possess it amongst birds : it weighs 

 between twelve and thirteen pounds ; and the wings, 

 extended, measure upwards of seven feet: the eye is 

 of a bright hazel, and both the sight and smelling are 

 remarkably acute: the head and neck are clothed with 

 narrow sharp-pointed feathers, of a deep brown colour; 

 but those on the crown of the head, as the bird in- 

 creases in age, become white; the wings, when clothed, 

 reach to the end of the tail ; the quill feathers are of 

 ;i chocolate colour, and the shafts white ; the tail is of 

 a deep brown, irregularly barred, and blotched with 

 an obscure ash ; the legs are yellow, short, and very 

 strong, three inches in circumference, and feathered 

 to the very feet : the toes are covered with large scales, 

 and armed with the most formidable claws, the middle 

 of which are two inches m length. 



The eagle, as has been observed, obtains pre-emi- 

 nence amongst birds, from magnanimously disdaining 

 to take advantage of those animals, which, from their 

 inferiority in strength and size, could easily become its 

 prey ; and it is not until having for a length of jime 

 been provoked by the taunting cries of the rook and 

 magpie, that this generous creature is induced to pu- 

 nish their temerity.. The ea<_de likewise refuses to share 



