EAGLE. RAPTORES, AQUILA. 15 



of this species, found in the woodlands of the Peak of Derby- 

 shire, is given in WILLOUGHBY'S Ornithology, who rightly 

 conjectured that the Golden and Ring-tailed Eagles formed 

 but one species. 



The vision of the Eagle is^ wonderfully acute, and the dis- 

 tance at which it can discern its prey is truly astonishing. 



MONTAGU *, in the Supplement to his Ornithological Dic- 

 tionary, mentions some curious instances of the perfection of 

 this faculty. Indeed, it would appear, that the elevated 

 height at which it soars, is the favourite station from whence 

 to seek for prey, as it is from such altitudes that it generally 

 stoops, and carries off its victim. It seldom strays far from 

 its native haunts ; and the instances are rare of its having 

 been seen in England, or even in the Lowlands of Scotland. 



BEWICK mentions a very large one, as killed near Wark- 

 worth in Northumberland, which measured eleven feet in ex- 

 tent of wing. 



Having had two living birds of this species in my posses- 

 sion for some years, I have been enabled to give close atten- 

 tion to their peculiar habits. In disposition, they appear 

 untameable, their fierceness being in no respect diminished 

 since I first received them. They do not exhibit any par- 

 tiality even for the person who constantly attends and feeds 

 them, but are as ready to attack him as a stranger. They 

 shew a decided preference to living prey, and will not eat 

 offal or carrion, except when pressed by hunger. Hares, 

 rabbits, and cats, are favourite food. Living prey thrown to 

 them is instantly pounced on by a stroke behind the head, 

 and another about the region of the heart ; the bill appearing 



or more, in size and colour resembling those deposited in a wild state. 

 Previous to laying, she becomes very restless and noisy ; and endeavours 

 to form a nest of sticks (purposely thrown into the cage), grass, feathers, 

 and any other loose materials. An anxious desire to incubate is also shewn, 

 but no experiments have yet been made to ascertain how far she would 

 carry this instinctive feeling. 



* See MONT. Ornith. Diet. Supplem. articles Ring-tail Eagle, &c. 



