EXPERIENCES WITH EAOLES. 



193 



maturity — a metamorphosis which probably extends over 

 several years. The black feathers growing gradually and 

 irregularly among the light ones, give the bird, during 

 this period, a peculiar piebald or spotted appearance — (see 

 photo below). It is also worth adding, as a curious fact, 



IMPERIAL EAGLE. (SPOTTED STAGE.) 



that many of the feathers of the wing-coverts, scapulars, 

 &c,, show Ugltt on one side of the shaft, and dark on tlie 

 other. During all this protracted adolescence, it has 

 usually been considered that these eagles did not breed. 



