ERKOWIT 377 



spent interesting and exciting hours always with some 

 new experience, often with a noble trophy or two. Besides 

 the better-known species, there were among 1 the eagles 

 shot here, others entirely strange to us. Two in particular 

 were of true eagle-build, massive and thick-set, feathered 

 to the toes and, both in form and equipment, of the type 

 of the golden eagle, though on smaller scale. The following 

 description of these eagles I wrote down carefully on the 

 spot, immediately after death : 



DARK ERKOWIT EAGLES. Far more massive than either 

 the tawny or white-footed forest-eagles, both in build and 

 colour resembling golden eagles ; legs feathered, and very long 

 extending, when in the flesh, beyond tip of tail. Irides 

 hazel ; feet bright yellow. 



Sex. Weight. Expanse. Remarks. 



No. i. Male. . 4^ Ib. 62 ins. Tail short, barred, or blotched 

 2. Female . 5^ 74 



At the British Museum this pair have been identified 

 with the Steppe-eagle (Aquila nipalensis] of southern 

 Russia and India, and I will not doubt but that that 

 determination may be correct. If it be permissible to 

 express a tentative opinion without either offence, or con- 

 troversial much less polemical intent, I suggest that 

 the scientific process of diagnosing unknown creatures 

 rests upon a somewhat unsatisfying basis. That process 

 consists in producing some dozens (or hundreds) of similar 

 skins from all parts of the earth, and then fitting the 

 new-comer into some niche or other which may appear 

 to correspond more or less closely with its own status ; 

 but without any regard being taken of the life-conditions 

 and habits of the living subject. To my mind, these latter 

 essentials are of vital import : yet, in the process described, 

 they are ignored indeed in many cases are wholly 

 unknown. 1 Presumptively, the verdict may be correct ; 



1 It would almost appear a" misuse of the term "zoology" to apply it to 

 the methods impugned. The mere mechanical function of sorting-out dry 

 skins (as though birds or beasts were inanimate things like foreign postage- 

 stamps) would more accurately be defined as " dermatology." 



