CRESTED, OR HARPT EAGLE. ITirasdetus Harjiyia. 



AFTEB many attempts to associate the CRESTED, or HAEPY EAGLE, with any other bird 

 in some acknowledged genus, systematic zoologists have at last been obliged to consider it 

 a family or single genus in itself, under the appropriate title of Thrasaetus, or Courageous 

 Eagle. 



The most obvious external characteristic which serves to distinguish this specie^ is the 

 manner in which the feathers of the head and neck are arranged, so as to form a bold ruff 

 or fan-like crest when erect. As long as this crest lies flatly on the head and neck, the 

 bird might be taken for a common Eagle ; but as soon as the fierce temper is roused, the 

 crest is raised, and the bird assumes an indescribably bold and courageous aspect. The 

 colour of this noble bird is very variable, differing greatly in the several epochs of an 

 Eagle's life. When adult, the general colour is blackish-slate, the head is grey, and the 

 chest and abdomen white, with a band of a darker hue across the chest. The tops of the 

 feathers which compose the crest are black, and the tail is barred alternately with black 

 and grey. The beak and claws are black. 



This bird is a native of various parts of Southern America, and prefers the deepest 

 forests to the plains or the rocks as its place of residence. 



