CLASS II. AVES: ORDER 1. RAPTORES. 



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THE HARPT EAGLE, 



Genus NEOPUS : JVeopus, includes the Malay Eagle, JV. Malayensis, of a dull brown color, 

 and feeding on reptiles, birds, and insects. It is conuuon in the Malay peninsula and the vi- 

 cinity. 



Genus SPIZAETUS : Sjnzaetus. — These birds resemble the eagle-hawks ; the ^S'. urubitinga is 

 found in Guiana and Brazil ; it is twenty-five inches long, and lives in mountainous districts, and 

 devours small quadrupeds, wounded birds, and fish. It is easily domesticated so far as to come 

 to its cage to be fed, after having made its tour in the forests. 



The Crested Spizaetus or Goshawk, S. cristatus or ^S". ornatus, greatly resembles the harpy 

 eagle, but is of smaller size. Under this genus the British Museum Catalogue includes also the 

 following: the Martial Eagle, S. belUcosus ; the Occipital Eagle, S. occipitalis ; the Tyrant 

 Eagle, S. tyrannus ; the Crested Indian Eagle, S. cirrhatus ; the Crested Bornean Eagle, 

 S. Borneonensis ; and the Black and White Eagle, C. melanoleucus. 



Genus HARPYIA : Harpyia. — This includes a single species, the Harpy Eagle — the Aiyle de- 

 structeur of Sonnini ; A. coronada of the Spanish of South America — H. thrasaetus. It is of the 

 size, power, and fierceness of the true eagles. It has a crest of numerous broad, black feathers on 

 the back part of the head, which is raised by excitement and depressed in tranquillity. The back 

 and wings are brownish -black, each feather terminating in a narrow streak of lighter shade ; the 

 under surface is pure white ; its wings are short, its legs and talons robust, its general aspect se- 

 vere and savage, with something of the gloomy expression of the owl. It inhabits Mexico and 

 the northern portions of South America. It preys on sloths, monkeys, fawns, and other quadru- 

 peds, and especially the young ones. One of the species, which was being carried to England, 

 killed and devoured a king-vulture which was in the same cage. After its arrival a cat was put 

 into its cage, upon which it struck it with his foot and instantly broke its back. It has been 

 known to break a man's skull by a stroke of its powerful bill. M. D'Orbigny tells of one which. 



