54 



HARPY EAGLE. 



Falco Harpya. F. nigro griseoque varius, subtus albus, crista 



occipita/i bifida, roslro nigro, pedibus flavis. 

 Eagle variegated with black and grey; beneath white j with 



bifid occipital crest, black beak, and yellow legs. 

 Vultur Harpya. Lin. Syst. Nat. 

 Falco Harpya. Lath. ind. orn. 

 Aquila brasiliensis cristata. Brisson. 



This bird, which appears to be as yet but im- 

 perfectly known to naturalists, is a native of South 

 America, and particularly of Brasil. It seems in 

 some degree doubtful whether it should be con- 

 sidered as an Eagle or a Vulture, and has accord- 

 ingly been differently arranged by authors, as may 

 be perceived from a consultation of the synonyms 

 following the specific character. Its size is said 

 to be that of a Sheep, and its colour black above, 

 with paler variegations, and white beneath : the 

 tail black, with brown bars; the bill black, and 

 the legs yellow : the head is covered with feathers, 

 and is of a blueish brown colour, the hind part 

 being furnished with a lengthened, bifid crest, 

 which it frequently elevates. It is of a highly 

 ferocious nature, preying on various animals, and 

 is said to be able to cleave a man's skull with a 

 single stroke of his beak. 



var. ? 



« The bird described by Jacquin under the name 

 of Vultur coronatus, is by Mr. Latham considered 



