I2O BRITISH BIRDS. 



and Central Russia, and as many of our ornithologists 

 refuse to recognise anything but species, the name of this 

 smaller race has been often applied to the British 

 examples, but it is the larger form only which has 

 occurred in Britain, as vouched for by Mr. Gurney (Ibis, 

 I ^77, PI 332) and Mr. Dresser. (Zoologist, 1885, p. 230). 



167. Aquila ehrysaetus (Linn.). GOLDEN EAGLE. 



Hab. Palasarctic and Nearctic regions. 



Male : whole plumage deep brown, inclining to tawny 

 red on the head and nape, and to reddish-brown on the 

 belly and thighs ; bill dusky ; iris hazel ; cere and toes 

 yellow; claws black. Length 31*00 to 32*00. Female: 

 length 35 'oo to 36*00. Young : base of tail white, some 

 white mottlings also often appearing on breast ; white 

 on tail is probably not lost until third or fourth year. 



Now only known to breed in the Highlands, the 

 Hebrides, and more rarely in one or two localities in 

 the west and north of Ireland. In its Scotch haunts it 

 is likely to continue, since it is being protected by many 

 owners of deer-forests. The eyrie is generally a rock- 

 ledge or jutting crag upon which a platform of sticks, 

 grass, moss, etc., is formed and added to year by year. 

 Eggs : 2 or 3 ; laid in April ; greyish-white, variably 

 mottled, streaked or blotched with rust-colour and with 

 underlying grey markings ; size 2*90 by 2*30. It is 

 addicted to lamb-stealing, but chiefly preys on mountain- 

 hares, ptarmigan, grouse, etc. 



GENUS XC. HALIAETUS, Savigny '(1810). 

 Bill much as in Aquila, but cutting edges of upper 

 mandible exhibiting an indistinct tooth. Tarsus feathered 

 on upper half only, anterior portion of lower tarsus and 

 all upper surface of toes covered with broad scales. 



