BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 187 



THE Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetus, Linnreus) is a com- 

 paratively scarce resident in the British Islands, and a 

 wanderer during the non-breeding season. It is also found 

 in most parts of the Palearctic and Nearctic Regions. The 

 adult has the crown and nape rich tawny; back, dark 

 brown; tail, brown, tinged with greyish, and barred ob- 

 scurely with dusky-brown on basal half; tips, darker; 

 primaries, blackish-brown ; under parts, brown ; thighs, 

 dark brown; irides, bright hazel; bill, dark horn colour, 

 base paler; cere and feet, yellow; legs feathered to the 

 toes. Length, from thirty-one to thirty-six inches. The 

 female is larger than the male, but similar in colour. 



