22 RAPTORES. HALI^EETUS. SEA-EAGLE. 



upwards, unless disturbed, provided it can find any easier 

 way to get out of the house ; for it appears that it cannot 

 readily begin its flight, but in an oblique direction ; conse- 

 quently it walks deliberately out at the opening left for it, 

 and the skeiny being fitly contrived, and placed for the pur- 

 pose, catches hold of and fairly strangles it." This bird is 

 of powerful form, but not so compact as the Golden Eagle. 

 Its aspect is also heavier, and it has not the same alertness 

 and activity. When reposing, it sits with drooping wings, 

 and the feathers of the body ruffled in the manner of the 

 Vultures, with which birds, indeed, it was at first classed by 

 LINN^US ; a proof of the striking affinity it bears to that 

 family. It is of wide distribution, species being found in all 

 quarters of the globe. 



The figure on PLATE 3. represents an adult female of this 



species, in about two-fifths of the natural size. 



General Bill large, straight towards the base, colour straw-yellow, 

 ticm"* 1 " ^ ere wm e-yellow. From the base of the bill to the eyes 



Adult bird. is a species of bluish-coloured skin, thinly covered with 

 black hairs. Irides reddish-brown. Head and neck 

 pale hair-brown, the feathers long, narrow, distinct, and 

 acuminated. Upper parts dark hair-brown ; under 

 parts the same, but deeper in tint. Upper tail-coverts 

 white. Tail white. Quills blackish-brown, the shafts 

 of the feathers pale. Legs feathered a short way below 

 the knee, colour straw-yellow. The naked part of the 

 Tarsi in front have large scales, or scutellse. Middle 

 toe with eight large scutellse ; the outer with five ; and 

 the inner and hind toes with four each. Claws black 

 and strong ; very hooked, and sharp : the middle one 

 with a sharp edged-groove on its inner side. 



Young PLATE 3*. Represents the young of this species after the 

 second moult, or in that state in which it has been 

 named the Sea Eagle (Falco ossifragus of authors). 



