SPOTTED EAGLE SEA EAGLE. 13 



bit, on the estate of the Earl of Shannon. u Another eagle 

 of the same species, and said to be similarly marked, but ra- 

 ther lighter in colour, had been killed a few days before. The 

 two birds had been observed for several weeks previously 

 sweeping over the low grounds between Castlemartyr and 

 Clay castle, near Youghal."* 



The present specimen is now preserved in the Museum of 

 the University of Dublin. 



Habitat Eastern Europe. 



SPECIES 12 THE SEA EAGLE. 



Aquila albicilla. Will. 



Aigle pygargue. Temm. 



White-tailed Eagle. 



THIS fine species, more widely distributed than the golden 

 eagle, is found in any locality where its solitary haunts remain 

 unmolested, and where it can obtain a sufficiency of food. 

 Differing from the golden eagle in the localities it frequents, 

 we observe the sea eagle tenanting those immense precipices 

 which, on the north and west coasts, overhang the ocean in 

 every variety of picturesque confusion. 



With the exception of the natural associations connected 

 with its presence, the sea eagle has neither the elegance of 

 form which distinguishes the golden eagle, nor the same in- 

 terest attached to it. Larger in size, and more robustly 

 formed, there is a truculency of aspect conveyed in its ap- 

 pearance which at once reminds us of the vulture. The most 

 pusillanimous of our larger birds, the merlin has more courage 

 packed up in his little form than a dozen sea eagles. But 

 yet we doubtless see in that the wise provision of nature 

 in not bestowing sufficient courage upon those birds to make 

 use of their immense strength, when we recollect the gyr falcon, 

 nearly a third less in size, will " assail the swan in its airy 

 flight, and bring it to the earth as if shot with a ball."f If 

 the eagles possessed the similar impetuous daring of the fal- 

 cons, they would be indeed formidable enemies. Laying the 

 shore under contributions, he is generally observed sailing along 

 in the vicinity of the precipice, or standing upon some pro- 

 jecting peak over the ocean, his keen eye directed upon the 

 immense multitude of sea-fowl who are performing their busy 

 work of incubation. Apparently having regular hunting- 



* Thompson. t Scaliger. 



