25 



WHITE-HEADED SEA-EAGLES. 



Haliaetus leucoceplialus, Sav. 



Native of North America, where its food is the fish whicli it catches in the great 

 rivers and lakes. It is sometimes, but very rarely, seen wild in the North of Europe. 

 The feathers on the heads of the young of this species are brown. The icliite-lteaded 

 E(i(jle takes its prey out of the water, darting at it while swimming and striking it with 

 its talons. — Adult specimens have been presented by the late Joshua Brookes, Esq. 

 and by Mr. Leadbeater. 



Those now in the collection are adult. 



WHITE-TAILED, or CINEREOUS SEA-EAGLES. 



Haliaetus Albicilla, Sav. 



Specimens of these birds in mature as well as immature plumage are exhibited. 

 When mature, their tails are white and their general colour cinereous brown, lighter 

 about the head: when young, the tail-feathers, as well as most of the rest of the body, 

 are a darker brown slightly mottled; and in approaching to maturity, intermediate 

 changes between the two states are observable. They are found frecpiently in the 

 Southern parts of Great Britain, but are abundant on the neighbouring cuasts of the 

 Continent of Europe. Their principal food is fish, but they also prey on aquatic birds 

 and on quadrupeds. 



A remarkably light-coloured variety from Ireland is at present exhibited. 



Generally no more than two specimens of each species oi Eagle are exhibited ; but 

 the Society has been indebted at various times for presents of Cinereous and Golden 

 Eagles to Thomas William Coventry, Esq., to John Morgan, Esq., to George Watson 

 Taylor, Esq., to Henry Meux, Esq., to Charles Barclay, Esq., to Jeremiah Simpson, 

 Esq., to Abel Moysey, Esq., and Capt. Dundas. 



In Moveable Cages (36) on the adjoining Lawn are exhibited the 



SOUTH AFRICAN EAGLE. 



Aquila Choka, Sntifh. 



From the Cape of Good Hope. — Donors, the Hon. J. T. Leslie Melville, and Sir 

 Thos. Reade. 



Near the Eagles' Hou.se is the Guinea Pig Enclosure (37). These ani- 

 mals are commonly known by the name of Guinea Pigs ; but the species is pro- 

 perly denominated 



THE RESTLESS CAVY. 

 Cavia Cobaya, Gmel. 



They have been long domesticated in Eui'ope, but are natives of South America. 

 They are usually supposed to have been derived from the j4perea, which in a wild state 

 is of a reddish-grey colour; but the specific identity of the two animals has been lat- 

 terly called in question. In confinement these animals arc very prolific, and vary 

 much in their markings. — Two pairs of them were presented by Thomas Cator. Esq. 



Next is the Wolf's Den (38). 



THE WOLF. (Male and Female.) 

 Canis Lupus, Linn. 



The female is a native of France, and was presented by Peter Ingouville, Esq. 

 The other is from Russia, and was presented from the Collection of the late Marchio- 

 ness of Londonderry. Tlic female has several times produced puppies. AVolves in- 

 habit various parts of the Continent of Euroi)e. They are also found in tlie Northern 

 parts of Asia, and in the cold ])artsof North America. They were once wild in Great 

 Britain, but have been long extirpated. The last heard of in Scotland was in 1G8(). 

 One was killed in Ireland so late as 1710. They prey on living quadrupeds, which 

 they pursue by scent, but if hard pressed will feed on carrion. 



