EAGLES. 



285 



Spizaetus (or Limnaetus) and its subdivisions, Lophoaetus, Spiziastur, etc. Several 

 of the species are beautifully crested, as, for example, Lophoaetus occipitalis, of 

 South Africa, one of the smaller species, but with a black occipital crest over four 

 inches long. This is rather a sluggish bird, feeding much on rats, but frequently 

 helping himself to poultry also. The crowned-eagle, Spizaetus coronatus, which has 

 nearly the same range as the last, is a much larger bird, with the under parts richly 

 banded with black on a buff ground, and an ample occipital crest of long, blackish 



FIG. 133. L'ircaetus gatlicus, serpent-eagle. 



. 



brown feathers. Several species are also found in Central and South America, among 

 which are the crested Spiziaetus (Lophotriorchis) isidori, and S. ornatus. 



Probably the Malayan black-eagle, Neopus malayensis, belongs with this group, 

 though its remarkably small outer toe and claw almost aborted it would seem 

 might be taken as an indication of other affinity. This species is crestless. 



An interesting bird, related to those just mentioned, is the short-toed or serpent- 

 eagle, Circaetus gallicus, which inhabits the countries about the Mediterranean, and 



