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THE BRAZILIAN EAGLE, OE UEU BITING A. 



The Harpy Eagle is a most powerful bird, exceeding even the golden Eagle in tlu 

 extent of its muscular development. The bones of the Harpy are enormously thick in 

 proportion to the size of the bird, and the claws are nearly twice the size of those which 

 belong to the golden Engle. The wings, however, are not largely developed, being rather 

 short and rounded, so that the bird is not fitted so much for a swift and active flight as 

 for the power of grasping with considerable force, and using its talons with the greatest 

 effect. This formation is easily accounted for by the fact that the Harpy Eagle is not 

 intended as an aerial hunter, chasing its prey through the air and overcoming it by means 

 of superior activity and strength, but feeds mostly on various mammalia, and is a 

 sad enemy to the sloth. Young deer fall victims to this voracious bird, which also 



destroys vast quantities of cavies, 

 opossums, and other animals. 

 Even tlie large parrots and aras 

 are slain and eaten by the Crested 

 Eagle. As soon as the Harpy Eaule 

 pounces upon a sloth, a fawn, or 

 an opossum, the fate of its victim 

 is sealed, for the long curved claws 

 are driven so forcibly into its vitals, 

 that it speedily sinks dead beneath 

 the fatal grasp. 



From the thickly wooded nature 

 of the localities in which this 

 Eagle dwells, a lengthened chase 

 would be impossible, as the dense 

 foliage and tangled boughs would 

 enable the intended victim to place 

 itself in security if it were only 

 able to receive intimation of its 

 pursuer's presence. Tlie great 

 object of the Harpy Eagle is, 

 therefore, to steal quietly upon its 

 prey, by gliding on noiseless wing 

 over the tops of the trees, and to 

 swoop suddenly and unexpectedly 

 on the unfortunate sloth or fawn 

 that it may chance to discover. 

 Wlien successful in its chase, and 

 standing exultingly on the body of 

 its quarry, its talons firmly holding 

 the prey which it has gained by 

 its own quickness and strength, 

 and its fierce eyes looking jealously 

 around lest any intruder should 

 endeavour to despoil it of the 

 fruits of its victory, the Harpy 

 Eagle presents a truly magnificent 

 sight. Its crest is raised and con- 

 tinually in motion, and its eyes 

 seem to flame with mingled fury 

 and triumph. 



BRAZILIAN EAGLE, OR URUBITINGA.^al/oo./uiHs Urubitinga. 



There is rather a curious bird found in Brazil, Cayenne, and various parts of the West 

 Indies, named the Brazilian Eagle, or Urubitinga. 



This bird is a great contrast in dimensions to that which has just been mentioned, being 

 only about the size of an ordinary raven, whereas the harpy Eagle is among the largest of 



