Notes upon Indian and European Eagles, Sfc. 293' 



The idea therefore that Aquila naevia of Europe is a distinct 

 species from the Indian one, must be given up. In eagles, the- 

 range as regards size is excessive, and examples of Aquila bifas- 

 ciiita and Aquila mogilniJc shew far greater variation as regards 

 size than the spotted eagle does. The greatest variation is to be 

 found in A. bifaseiafa. 



As far as I can ascertain, it appears verj probable that Euro- 

 pean ornithologists have in speaking of the spotted eagle, 

 confounded two very distinct species, viz., Aquila naevia and 

 Aquila hastata. Both birds, when not mature, have spotted 

 wings. I have a specimen of Aquila hastata, an adult bird, 

 sent to me by Mr. Dresser, which he assured me was killed near 

 Danzic. It was sent as Aquila naevia. That it is undoubted 

 hastata, I am quite sure ; for there are certain peculiarities in 

 the coloration of the plumage present in this specimen, which, 

 are characteristic of the species. The upper tail coverts decided: 

 me, even if I had not found a perfect corespondence in every 

 other respect. To this conclusion I must adhere till the speci- 

 men is shewn not to be Aquila hastata. That the specimen is 

 European, the get-up of the skin shews, even if Mr. Dresser did 

 not know it to be European, beyond doubt; Aquila hastata is 

 therefore a European bird. Among the s]ieciraens of eggs of 

 "spotted eagles" which I have seen in England, obtained from 

 the Continent, I saw many of a rather small size, and very broad 

 in proportion to the length. I have no doubt that these were 

 all eggs of Aquila hastata. Mr. Hume and I have obtained 

 genuine eggs of the latter species with the old bird shot off the 

 nest. We have also genuine eggs of Aquila naevia authenticated 

 in the same manner, and the egg of the latter bird is larger and 

 longer in proportion than that of Aquila hastata. 



Apart from the Danzic skin, from the European eggs alone 

 which I have seen, I concluded Aquila hastata to be European, 

 the correctness of my conclusion, further research will shew. 



The mere fact of my being positive is doubtless not con- 

 clusive, but the bird killed near Danzic is eminently so, and I 

 keep it open to examination by any one inclined to be sceptical. 

 That Aquila hastata has for years been doing duty both by 

 ^gg and skin for Aquila naevia in European cabinets is rather 

 ludicrous, but such I believe to be the case, and I long for the 

 opportunity of ransacking a number of good European collec- 

 tions to find out how many examples have been misnamed; 

 Messrs. Gurney, Tristram, and Dresser are however now familiar 

 with the tM^o Indian eagles, A. hastata and A. bifasciata, and they 

 will be able, if opportunity offei's, to find out all the amusing 

 blunders with the skins ; but the unfortunate " spotted eagle's '* 



