THE GOLDEX EAGLE. 281 



courage), I Lave never seen the slightest indications of these qualities. I have driven the female off 

 hard-set eggs, and plundered the nest before the eyes of the pair, without either of them flapping a 

 pinion even to defend what a little Slmke will swoop at once to save ; and I have seen a couple of Crows 

 thrash one of them soundly. As a rule, this species with us is an ignoble feeder. I have generally 

 found them gorged with carrion, and after a good meal they will sit stupidly on a tree, or any little 

 mud pillar, and permit you to walk within thirty yards of them ; but before feeding they are some- 

 what wary, and can by no means always be secured, even when seen sitting. On more than one 

 occasion I have seen Desert Rats (Gerbillus erythrurus) in their crops, and I once shot one of a 

 pair which were busy, 011 the line of rail at Etawah, devouring a Bandicoot Rat (Mus bandicota), 

 which some passing train had cut in two. Occasionally, but rarely, I found that they had eaten 

 Quails and other birds. Once I shoj; a male which was dancing about on the ground in such an 

 astounding fashion that I killed it to see what the matter was. The bird proved to have been 

 choking. It had swallowed a whole dry shin-bone and foot of an Antelope. The bone apparently 

 could not be got down altogether, and in trying to void it, the sharp points of the hoof had stuck into 

 the back of the roof of the mouth." * 



THE GOLDE1ST EAGLE (Aquila 



The Golden Eagle is so called from the tawny or golden-brown colour which pervades the feathers 

 of the neck in the old bii'd. Excepting in certain places in " Caledonia stern and wild," where it is 

 protected, it is a species which is becoming very rare in Great Britain, and but for the intervention 

 of a few large-minded proprietors in Scotland would doubtless ere this have been extinguished. It is 

 a much rarer bird now than the "White-tailed Eagle, and the last-named species is often mistaken for 

 it; but a little attention to one point will obviate all fear of a mistake in this respect, the Golden 

 Eagle having at all ages the tarsus feathered to the toes, whereas the Sea Eagle belongs to the bare- 

 legged section of these birds. 



A better description of the habits of the Golden Eagle probably does not exist than that given by 

 the late Professor Macgillivray : 



" See how the sunshine brightens the yellow tint of his head and neck, until it shines almost like 

 gold ! There he stands, nearly erect, with his tail depressed, his large wings half raised by his side, 

 his neck stretched out and his eye glistening as he glances around. Like other robbers of the 

 desert, he has a noble aspect, an imperative mien, a look of proud defiance ; but his nobility has a 

 dash of clownishness, and his falconship a vulturine tinge. Still, he is a noble bii'd, powerful, 

 independent, proud, and ferocious, regardless of the weal or woe of others, and intent solely on the 

 gratification of his own appetites ; without generosity, without honour, bold against the defence- 

 less, but ever ready to sneak from danger. Such is his nobility, about which men have so 

 raved. Suddenly he raises his wings, for he has heard the whistle of the shepherd in the corry, and 

 bending forward, he springs into the air. Oh, that this pencil of mine were a musket charged 

 with buck-shot ! Hardly do those vigorous flaps serve at first to prevent his descent ; but now, 

 curving upwards, he glides majestically along. As he passes the corner of that buttressed and battle- 

 mented crag, forth rush two ravens from their nest, croaking fiercely. While one flies above 

 him, the other steals beneath, and they essay to strike him, but dare not, for they have an instinctive 

 knowledge of the power of his grasp, and after following him a little way they return to their 

 home, vainly exulting in the thought of having driven him from their neighbourhood. Bent on a 

 far journey, he advances in a direct course, flapping his great wings at regular intervals, then shooting 

 along without seeming to move them. In ten minutes he has progressed three miles, although he 

 is in no haste, and now disappears behind the shoulder of the hill. But we may follow him ia 

 imagination, for his habits being well known to us, we may be allowed the ornithological licence 

 of tracing them in continuance. Homeward bound, his own wants satisfied, he knows that his 

 young must be supplied with food. 



" Over the moors he sweeps, at the height of two or three hundred feet, bending his course 

 to either side, his wings wide spread, his neck retracted, now beating the air, and again sailing 



* "Kough Notes on Indian Ornithology," p. 145. t xpv<ros, gold; aerds, an Eagle. 



