The Zoologist — August, 1873, 3645 



term. I compared our bird with an adult Turkish specimen sent me by 

 Dr. Bree. Mr. Gurney also came to the same conclusion, after comparing the 

 adult Indian birds, I had sent home, with European examples. The West 

 European imperial eagle is, however, quite distinct, and is now known as 

 A. Adalbert! of Brehm. This is the species said to have no liueated stage, 

 and having, when adult, an excess of white on the scapulars and ridge of 

 wing. I sent a fine series of our Indian Aquila hastata to the Norwich 

 Museum. Mr. Anderson also sent one example in mature plumage. Besides 

 these we sent others to ornithological friends. I hear from Messrs. Gurney 

 and Dresser that the adult plumage of this species is not to be distinguished 

 from that of the small Pomeranian spotted eagle which they term the true 

 Aquila naevia. They assert, however, that, though the adults are alike, the 

 immature birds differ. This is a point for further investigation, but the 

 perfect accordance of the adults leads me to expect the same in the immature 

 birds. The connection between the immature and the adult is the first point 

 to be established, and this can only be done by the field naturalist. One of 

 my ornithological friends informs me that the immature of A. orientalis 

 (which we have shown is A. bifasciata) has spotted plumage like that of 

 A. naevia ; another friend informs me he has received the immature bird, 

 and it " is strangely like A. bifasciata ! " Now the latter eagle is not spotted, 

 and the " doctors," who are both men of repute, " differ." These points will 

 all be cleared up, it is to be hoped, before long ; and we shall perhaps have 

 the natural history of the eagles as clear and as correct as that of the 

 common rook, with little or nothing else to be learned. At present the 

 eagles appear to be in a state of dire confusion, which the English naturalists 

 are daily making worse. 



PS. — Since the foregoing was written Capt. G. F. L. Marshall, who is 

 much interested in this subject, came and examined the series used. He 

 fully concurred in the identification of A. orientalis with A. bifasciata, and 

 was even more positive than I was that the Danzic-killed Aquila hastata 

 was indeed that species. It will be remembered it was sent to me labelled 

 " A. nsevia." My English ornithological friends with whom I communicated 

 are incredulous regarding my identifications, and I therefore refer to my 

 friend's corroboration. If all fails to convince them I shall have the series 

 exhibited at a meeting of the Zoological Society. — W. E. Brooks, C.E., 

 Assensole, in the ' Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal ' (vol. xlii. pt. 2, 

 1873). [Communicated by G. R. Bree, Esq.] 



Blackbird nesting on the Ground. — The nesting of the blackbird on the 

 ground is much more common than is generally supposed. Three instances 

 have come under my observation this season : the most remarkable is one 

 in the park, under a small log of wood ; the place first fixed upon was at 

 the side of the log, and the nest was nearly finished, when it seemed to have 



SECOND SERIES — VOL. VIII. 2 R 



