18 ACCIPITRES. FALCONID.E. 



male adult; and the plumage of the young bird 

 often differs greatly from that of mature age ; 

 both of which circumstances have tended not a 

 little to introduce confusion into the natural his- 

 tory of this Family. The members composing it 

 are widely scattered over the globe ; and several 

 species have been reclaimed, and trained to pur- 

 sue their game at the command of man. The 

 amusement of falconry occupied a very large share 

 of the attention of Europe during the middle 

 ages. 



GENUS AauiLA. (Bniss.) 



We select the Eagles as the representatives of 

 the Falconidte, not because they possess the family 

 characters in the highest degree of development, 

 a distinction which belongs to the genus Falco, 

 but because their great size and strength, com- 

 bined with somewhat of grandeur and dignity in 

 their aspect, movements, and habits, have, in all 

 ages and countries, given them a place of high 

 consideration among birds. 



This genus is characterized by having the beak 

 somewhat lengthened, somewhat angular above, 

 straight at the base, but much curved towards the 

 tip : the notch or tooth of the upper mandible is 

 almost obliterated; the nostrils are oval, and 

 placed transversely ; the cere is somewhat rough ; 

 the wings have the fourth and fifth quills the 

 longest ; the feet are stout and powerful, the tarsi 

 feathered to the toes; the claws are remarkably 

 strong and curved, the under surface grooved ; the 

 hind and outer claws longest. 



The Eagles are widely scattered. They are 

 birds of lofty and powerful, but not rapid flight. 



