212 



GOLDEN EAGLE 



349. Aquila chryscetos. 35 in. 



Legs feathered to the toes. Plumage blackish-brown, 

 adults having the lengthened feathers on the nape, 

 golden-brown, and the tail more or less mixed with 

 white; leg feathers rusty. These large, handsome, well- 

 built birds of prey are fairly abundant in thinly set- 

 tled country west of the Miss., especially in mountains 

 and foot-hills. They are very .powerful birds and a 

 single pair of them will rule the whole country in which 

 they reside. They are very shy in the presence of 

 man and will never attack a person or show fight 

 unless wounded or surprised at their meals. Their 

 food consist of prairie dogs, rodents, ducks and even 

 fawns. 



Notes. A shrill a " kee-kee-kee." 



Nest. A very bulky structure of large sticks, lined 

 with twigs, needles and in some cases evergreen; eggs 

 creamy-white, spotted, splashed and clouded with vari- 

 ous shades of brown and gray (2.90x2.50). 



Range. West of the Miss., from Mexico northward; 

 rarely eastward to the Atlantic coast. 



