334 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



make it tlieir permanent place ol' resort. This is also true, i)robably, wher- 

 ever this Eagle remains throughout the year. ^Ir. T. H. Jackson, of West 

 Chester, Pa., informs me that he met with tln-ee fresh eggs of this species in 

 Maryland, on the 11th of February, 1871. 



The eggs are usually two, sometimes tin-ee or ibur, in number ; they are 

 nearly spherical, e(|ually rounded at either end, and more or less granulated 

 on their surface. Their color is a dull white, un.spotted, but often stained by 

 incubation to a dirty white or a light soiled drab. Two eggs in my collection 

 present the following measurements: Length ;> inches, breadth 2.75 ; length 

 2.88 inches, breadth 2.8(t. The first was obtained in New Jersey by Alex- 

 ander AVilson, the ornithologist ; the latter by Dr. Trudeau, in Louisiauta. 



Another, taken from a nest in Texas by Dr. Ileermann, measured 2.80 by 

 2.20 inches. A fourth, from Sitka, measures 2.75 by 2.25 inches. These 

 measurements, .so far as they may be taken as typical, exhibit but little varia- 

 tion in size between the most northern and the most southern s]iecimens. 



Several nests were met with and the eggs taken by Mv. ^lacFarlane near 

 Anderson Tiiver. They were gencriilly built in high trees not far from river- 

 banks. In a few instances the parents made hostile demonstrations when 

 their nests were robbed, but generally kept at a safe distance, nttering loud 

 and discordant sounds. The nests were built of dry sticks and decayed 

 branches, and lined with deer's hair, messes, hay, and other similar soft mate- 

 rials. 



Mr. Dall was informed by the Indians that tliis species breeds among the 

 Alaskan mountains on inaccessil)le cliffs. This statement, however, may 

 have had reference to the Golden Ea<de. 



h'alro coinniunh (Knropo), p. 1.3S. 



