AQUILA. 95 



Genus AQUILA. 



The genus Aquila was established by Brisson in 1760, in his'Orni- 

 thologie/ i. p. 419. Since Brisson called the Golden Eagle Aquila 

 aquila, there can be no doubt whatever that A. chrysaetus is the type of 

 the genus. 



The Eagles may at once be distinguished from any other European Birds 

 of Prey by their feathered tarsi, which are entirely concealed by feathers 

 down to the toes, in this respect resembling most of the Owls. The genus 

 Aquila is a cosmopolitan one, containing about thirty species'. Nine only are 

 found in Europe, of which three are British. Although large and powerful 

 birds, the Eagles are not courageous. They feed much on mammals, birds, 

 and reptiles. They nestle in cliffs and trees, some members of the genus 

 on the ground, making large nests of twigs, turf, wool, and moss, and lined 

 with green plants and foliage. Their eggs are from two to three in number, 

 varying from pale bluish white to cream in ground-colour, with brown 

 markings of various shades, and violet and grey shell-markings. Under- 

 neath the ground-colour there is always a pale bluish green, causing the 

 shell, when the egg is held up to the light, to appear that colour. 



