GOLDEN EAGLE. 



11 



ACCIPITRES. 



FALCON ID^ 



AQIJILA CHRYSAETUS (Linnaeus*). 

 THE GOLDEN EAGLE. 

 Aquila chrysaetos. 



AQUILA, Brisson^. Beak strong, of moderate length, curved from the cere, 

 pointed, the cutting edges nearly straight. Nostrils oval, lateral, directed ob- 

 liquely downward and backward ; or circular. Wings large and long, the fourth 

 quill-feather the longest. Legs strong ; tarsi feathered to the junction of the toes. 

 Feet strong ; the last phalanx of each toe covered by three large scales ; claws 

 strong, hooked. 



* Falco chrysaetos, Linnseus, Syst. Nat. Ed. 12, i. p. 125 (1766). 

 t Oruithologie, i. p. 420 (1760). 



