NEW-YORK FAUNA BIRDS. 



GENUS AQUILA. Brisson. 



Head large, flattened above, plumed. Beak thick, powerful, nearly straight at its base, 

 somewhat angular above, and strongly hooked at the tip. Nostrils oval or rounded, oblique. 

 Legs clothed with feathers to the toes, which are short, and united by a short web. Feathers 

 of the head and neck narrow and pointed. Wings long ; the fourth qui]l longest : the 

 outer six abruptly cut out on the inner web. 



THE GOLDEN EAGLE. 



Aquila chrysaetos. 



PLATE VI. FIG. 14 (Youho). 



Ring-tailed EagU. Wilson, Vol. 7, p. 13. pi. 55, fig. 1 (young). 



Falcofvlvut. Bonap. Am. Lyceum Nat. History N. Y. Vol. 2, p. 25. 



Golden Eagle. Audobon, Orn. Biog. Vol. 2, p. 464. 



Royal or Golden Eagle. Nuttall, Manual Om. Vol. 1, p. 62. AuD. B. of A. 8vo. Vol. 1, p. 50, pi. 12 (adult). 



AqvUa chrysaetos, Golden Eagle. GlRAUD, Birds of Long Island, p. 8. 



Characteristics. Dusky. Cere and toes yellow. Tail rounded, reaching beyond the wings. 

 Young, with three-fourths of the tail white towards the base. 



Description. The third primary nearly as long as the fourth. Secondaries broad and 

 rounded. Tail broad, with the feathers broad, rounded, and slightly pointed at their ends. 

 Claws flat beneath. 



Color. Bill bluish at base, black towards the tip. Eyelids bright blue. Fore part of 

 the head, cheeks and throat deep brown. Neck, on its posterior part and sides, light fulvous 

 brown. Tail light fulvous brown. Young, to the third year, with the tail white, banded 

 with black at the tips. 



Length, 35 • - 40 • 0. Extent of wings, 80 • - 84 • 0. 



The Golden Eagle is a rare species, a single pair appearing to monopolize a large district. 

 It usually selects inaccessible rocky peaks for its abode, where it builds its nest. The eggs 

 are usually two, brownish white with scattering brownish streaks, and about 3 ' 5 inches in- 

 length. Their food consists of living quadrupeds, birds, etc., rarely touching dead bodies. 

 They are frequently observed near the Highlands on the North river, and have been seen on 

 Lake Erie. A fine specimen was shot a few years since at Islip, Suffolk county, and is now 

 in the collection of my late estimable friend Mr. De Rham. Its geographical range northward 

 extends to the 66th parallel. This species is common to Europe and America. 



