RING-TAIL EAGLE. 65 



appears by the numerous calumets, formerly belonging to diffe- 

 rent tribes, to be seen in the same magnificent collection. 



Pennant informs us, that the independent Tartars train this 

 Eagle for the chase of hares, foxes, wolves, antelopes, &c. and 

 that they esteem the feathers of the tail the best for pluming 

 their arrows. The Ring-tail Eagle is characterized by all as a 

 generous spirited and docile bird; and various extraordinary 

 incidents are related of it by different writers, not, however, 

 sufficiently authenticated to deserve repetition. The truth is, 

 the solitary habits of the Eagle now before us, the vast inacces- 

 sible cliffs to which it usually retires, united with the scarcity 

 of the species in those regions inhabited by man, all combine 

 to render a particular knowledge of its manners very difficult 

 to be obtained. The author has, once or twice, observed this 

 bird sailing along the alpine declivities of the White mountains 

 of New Hampshire, early in October, and again, over the High- 

 lands of Hudson's river, not far from West Point. Its flight was 

 easy, in high circuitous sweeps, its broad white tail, tipped 

 with brown, expanded like a fan. Near the settlements on 

 Hudson's Bay it is more common; and is said to prey on hares, 

 and the various species of Grous which abound there. Buffon 

 observes, that though other Eagles also prey upon hares, this 

 species is a more fatal enemy to those timid animals, which are 

 the constant object of their search, and the prey which they 

 prefer. The Latins, after Pliny, termed the Eagle Valeria, 

 quasi valens viribus, because of its strength, which appears 

 greater than that of the other Eagles in proportion to its size. 



The Ring-tail Eagle measures nearly three feet in length; the 

 bill is of a brownish horn colour; the cere, sides of the mouth 

 and feet yellow; iris of the eye reddish hazel, the eye turned 

 considerably forwards; eyebrow remarkably prominent, pro- 

 jecting over the eye, and giving a peculiar sternness to the as- 

 pect of the bird; the crown is flat; the plumage of the head, 

 throat and neck, long and pointed ; that on the upper part of the 

 head and neck very pale ferruginous; fore part of the crown 

 black; all the pointed feathers are shafted with black; whole 



VGL. i. L 1 



