HAWKS, EAGLES, AND KITES 



301 



Remarks. This species is to be distinguished from the preceding prin- 

 cipally by its much larger bill and differently colored tail and underparts. 



Range. W. N. Am. Breeds from s. Wash., sw. Sask., and s. Man., to 

 s. Calif., Utah, Colo., and Kans.; winters from Mont., to L. Calif, and n. 

 Mex., and casually e. to Wise, and Ills. 



Nest, in trees or on the ground in rocky places. Eggs, 2-4, "white, or 

 buffy white, usually more or less spotted, blotched, or clouded with brown 

 or grayish purple (or both), 2'42 x 1'88" (Ridgw.). Date, Ft. Totten, N. D., 

 Apl. 12. 



This bird is rarely found east of the Mississippi. Dr. Fisher remarks: 

 "The Squirrel Hawk is preeminently a bird of the prairie, and, unlike 

 the common Rough-leg, shows little partiality to the vicinity of water, 

 though in other respects it closely resembles the latter bird in habits." 



34ft. Aquila chrysaetos (Linn.). GOLDEN EAGLE. Ads. Back of the 

 head and nape pale, buffy ochraceous; basal two-thirds of the tail with 

 broken grayish bars; tarsus white, entirely feathered; rest of the plumage 

 fuscous-brown ; quills fuscous. Im. Similar, but base of the tail white ; tarsus 

 and under tail-coverts ochraceous-buff. <? L., 30'00-35"00; Ex., 78'00-84'00; 

 W., 23-00-24-70; T., 14-00-15'00; Tar., 3'65-3'80. 9 L., 35'00-40'00; Ex., 

 84-00-90-00; W., 25'00-27'00; T., 15'00-16'00; Tar., 4'15-4'25 (Ridgw.^. 



Range. N. part of N. Hemisphere. In 

 N. A. s. to middle L. Calif., cen. Mex., w. 

 Tex., S. D., Man., s. Keewatin, cen. Ont., 

 N. H., Maine, and N. S., and in the Alle- 

 ghanies to sw. N. C. ; less common e. of 

 the Miss. 



Washington, rare W. V. Qssining, A. V. 

 Cambridge, 1 record. N. Ohio, rare W. V. 

 SE. Minn., P. R. 



Nest, on cliffs, rocky ledges, or in trees. 

 Eggs, dull white, obscurely or distinctly 

 blotched or speckled with shades of cinna- 

 mon-brown, 2"93 x 2*34. Date, San Benito 

 Co., Calif., Feb. 19; Gold Hill, Colo., Apl. 3. 



"It seems to be nowhere a common 

 species in the East, but it is much more 

 numerous in the mountainous parts of 

 the far West. It is confined chiefly to 

 the mountains and more northern lati- 

 tudes, where it breeds. It is able to 

 endure intense cold, and sometimes re- 

 mains far north in winter. In fact, its movements at that season 

 are more in the form of wandering for food than regular migration to 

 the south. 



"The food consists mainly of mammals and birds, of which sper- 

 mophiles, rabbits, fawns, lambs, turkeys, grouse, waterfowl, and other 

 large birds form the principal part, though offal and carrion are some- 

 times taken. ... Of 6 stomachs examined, 1 contained feathers; 2, 

 mammals; 2, carrion; and 1 was empty" (Fisher). 



In view of the ever-recurring story of Golden Eagles bearing away 

 children, it is well to say that Cameron shows that six pounds is about 

 the greatest weight a Golden Eagle can carry while on the wing. 



FIG. 89. Foot of Golden Eagle. 



