ORDER ACCIPITRES. 33 



The Eagles, (Aquila, Brisson,) 



Which form the first family of these, have a very- 

 strong beak, straight at its base, and bent only toward 

 the point. Amongst these are found the largest spe- 

 cies of the genus, and the most powerful of all birds 

 of prey. 



The Eagles, properly so called, (Cuv.) 



Have the tarsi feathered, even to the base of the toes. 

 They live in mountains, and hunt birds and quadru- 

 peds. Their wings are as long as the tail, their flight 

 both high and quick, and their courage exceeds that 

 of other birds. 



The common Eagle, (F. fulvus, Enl. 409, F. melanaetos, 

 when molting, F. niger, diflference of age, F. Mogilnik, 

 molting, Gm., F. Canadensis, Gm., when molting as in F. 



melanaetos. 



More or less brown, with the occiput yellow, the 

 upper half of the tail white, and the rest black. This 

 species is the most spread over mountainous districts 

 of Europe and America. 



The Falco Cygneus, Lath, is an albino variety. 



The Ring- Tail Eagle, (F. chrysaetos,) Enl. 410, 



Differs from the last only in having a blackish tail 

 marked with irregular ash-coloured bands. It is of 

 it, nevertheless, that we are told the exaggerated 

 stories of the ancients, touching the strength, courage, 

 and magnanimity of their golden or royal eagle. 



D 



