EAGLES, 



225 



while the feet are yellow, with black claws. In young birds, as shown in the 

 woodcut on next page, the whole of the root of the tail is whitish or pure white, 

 becoming gradually mottled with grey and brown towards the middle, and only 

 the terminal third of the feathers is nearly black. The feathers on the back of the 

 neck are thus generally less rufous, the general colour of the plumage of the body 

 and wings is darker and more uniform, and the primary quills, save the first three, 

 have much white at their roots. In this state the bird is termed a "ring-tail." 

 There is, however, a great amount of individual variation in the colouring of golden 

 eagles. For instance, some old birds are almost uniformly dark brown, and others 

 golden-brown, while in some the upper-parts are blackish, and the lower surface 

 golden-brown. In others, again, the white at the base of the primary quills is 

 retained, and in some cases the quills are banded. Very rarely white individuals 

 have been observed. In the Old World the range of the golden eagle embraces 

 the whole of Europe and Northern Asia, extending southwards into Northern 

 China and the Himalaya, while a few individuals straggle into Peninsular 

 India. The bird is common in Palestine during the winter, and is more rarely met 

 with in Arabia, Egypt, and Abyssinia, while it breeds in Algeria. It is now 

 definitely settled that the so-called Canadian eagle of North America is identical 

 with the Old World species ; its range extending from Alaska to California and 

 Mexico. The young of the American race are peculiarly light-coloured in the 

 region of the head and neck ; and many American specimens attain a very large 

 size, even up to 41 inches. Dr. Sharpe states, however, that nearly equally large 

 examples have been obtained from Northern India. In the United Kingdom the 

 golden eagle still holds its own to a limited extent in the Scottish Islands ; and 

 probably also breeds in some of the wilder mountainous districts of Ireland. 



Generally a rock-haunting and cleft-nesting bird, in many parts 

 of Lapland, Siberia, and the North American prairies, the golden 

 eagle frequents more open districts, where it is compelled to nest either in trees or 

 on the steep clay banks of rivers and streams. Its powerful build and strong 

 rapid flight render it more than a match for any animal of its size ; and its food 

 consequently comprises many of the larger kinds of game, as well as lambs. In 

 Europe these eagles prey largely upon fawns, hares, rabbits, and the various kinds 

 of feathered game ; and are consequently formidable enemies to the game-preserver. 

 One has been known to carry off a wounded grouse from in front of the guns of the 

 sportsmen; while another is recorded to have picked up a hare running before 

 hounds. In pursuing hares and rabbits, two eagles will at times combine their 

 efforts in the chase. An Irish peasant reported to the author of Wild Sports of the 

 West, that, in coursing hares, " one bird was the active follower, while another 

 remained in reserve at a distance of forty or fifty yards. If the hare, by a sudden 

 turn, freed herself from her most pressing enemy, the second bird instantly took 

 up the chase, and thus prevented the victim from having a moment's respite." 

 That such a sporting bird can deign to feed on carrion, seems surprising ; neverthe- 

 less the golden eagle will not only eat such garbage when pressed by hunger, but 

 actually seems to prefer it ; and it is owing to this unsavoury taste that these birds 

 are so easily approached and killed. In America the golden eagle preys on marmots, 

 prairie-marmots, wood-rats, squirrels, and smaller rodents, as well as grouse, geese, 

 VOL. iv. 15 



