446 CANADIA^I {'ALCONlSi®'- 



but is only a variety, or an effect of age, it may be necessary tc? stip-' 

 press A. 8ancti~J oJiannis altogether, unless indeed the length of the 

 wing furnishes a better character. In our specimens, the fine light-- 

 coloured pair, lately shot on the Island, are, like the European birdy 

 which they so much resembley marked A. Jagopus, whilst the fine 

 dark plumaged bird, the true black hawk of American writers, is 

 labelled A. Sancti-^Johamds. These names were attached under the 

 impression that I could at least maintain with some confidence, thats? 

 if the two species are good, we haye both in America, but since I have 

 noticed the apparent difference in the length of the wing, and one or 

 two minor distinctions, I find myself as mwch in doubt as ever. These 

 birds need more study of their habits and anatomical characters, as 

 well as of the changes of colour they pass through. 



Proceeding to the sub-famiiy AquiliiKB, eagles, I have great 

 pleasure in naming the Golden Eagle, Aquila Chrysaetos, as a 

 denizen of our country, several of these noble birds having during 

 the present winter been killed in the Heighbourhood, of which we 

 have been able to place a fine specimen in the museum. It has 

 been seen near the Eocky Mountains, in Labrador, and as a rare 

 visitant in various parts of the United States, but always so un- 

 common as when obtained to be deemed a prize, and as one of the 

 noblest of the feathered race it cannot fail to be admired. Our spe- 

 cimen shows the form known as the ring-tail, and formerly accounted 

 a distinct species. Being the youngest form it is the most common, 

 as large numbers are not permitted to reach maturity, and a doubt 

 has been sometimes raised whether it is not the only one seen in 

 L^orth America. The "White-headed Eagle, ITaliceins leucocephalusy 

 is a more familiar bird, of a less bold and fierce character. It also 

 undergoes a change of colour which baa caused another suppositious 

 species, for the young is entirely dark-coloured, or only irregularly 

 sprinkled with white, whilst the fully matured bird has the colovir on 

 its head and tail in curious contrast with its dark body and wings. 



Pandion Halitstus, the Osprey or Eish-Hawk, belongs to this group, 

 but needs no special remark. 



I have not heard of the "Washington Eagle being found in Canada, 

 but it may possibly occur to us. 



Next in order come the Faleonidce, or true Ealcons, the most 

 typical form of the family, known by the length and power of the 

 wings, the strength and sharpness of the clawsj the presence of one 



