202 THE TOWER MENAGERIE. 
above than beneath, and relieved on the breast and 
under parts by numerous white spots. The larger 
feathers of his wings are nearly black; but those of the 
tail are not so deeply tinged. The naked portion of the 
legs, as also the toes, are covered with bright yellow 
scales; and the talons are of a bright black. 
The Great Sea-HMagle is a native of the Northern 
Hemisphere, in the colder regions of which he appears 
to be most at home. He builds his nest in similar 
situations with the last, but prefers the neighbourhood 
of the sea, or of lakes and rivers, over which he is 
frequently to be seen, especially in the morning and 
towards nightfall, hovering in quest of prey, and pounc- 
ing down upon the fish which rise to the surface, or 
even diving after those which are visible beneath. ‘These 
form his principal sustenance; but he seldom suffers 
flesh or fowl to escape him if they chance to fall in his 
way. His flight is less rapid and less lofty than that of 
the Golden Eagle; and he neither perceives his prey at 
such a distance, nor pursues it with such pertinacity. 
The noble birds which illustrate the present article 
were presents from the Marchioness of Londonderry. 
