BIRDS OF PREY. II 



from six to six feet and two-thirds, the wing measures from two, to two feet and a quarter, and the tail 

 from ten, to twelve inches and a half. The female is of the same size as the male Tawny Eagle. The 

 body of this species is compact, and the wings so long that they extend beyond the comparatively 

 short tail. In the adult the plumage is of a dark, somewhat variegated, brown ; the head and nape 

 are reddish yellow, and the shoulders are ornamented with a white patch ; the tail-feathers are grey, 

 striped with black. The plumage of the young is tawny, marked longitudinally with dark brown. 

 Both the Golden and Tawny Eagles are found throughout all such countries of Europe as possess high 

 mountains or extensive forests, and both are met with in many parts of Asia and North America. 

 The Imperial Eagle, on the contrary, inhabits the south-eastern portion of our continent from Hun- 

 gary to Mongolia ; Jerdon tells us that it not only visits India during its migrations, but breeds there. 

 This last species frequents open tracts of country, whilst the Tawny and Golden Eagles prefer 

 rocky districts, the former always building amongst the mountain fastnesses, and the latter occasionally 

 making her eyrie among the branches of one of the gigantic trees of the forest. The Imperial Eagle 

 also makes its nest upon trees, and often at no great distance from the abodes of man. All these 

 birds have many habits in common ; they commence their pursuit of prey long after the sun rises, 

 and confine their excursions within the limits of a certain district. Both mates hunt together, but the 

 possession of some delicate morsel which one or other refuses to share with its companion is often 

 a cause of strife between them. The chase lasts till noon, when they retire to rest in some quiet spot, 

 and remain perched with drooping plumage, but with ever watchful eye, whilst the work of digestion is 

 going on. When this period of repose is over they fly in search of water, not only drinking largely, but 

 bathing in the cooling stream. The afternoon is passed in the same manner as the morning ; and the 

 early part of the evening is spent in soaring and floating through the air, till darkness has closed around, 

 when the wary couples quietly retire to their safe and often unapproachable sleeping-places. The 

 force with which these enormous birds clutch their prey is so violent that the entrance of a Golden 

 Eagle's claws into the sides of its victim can be distinctly heard, and its flesh is often partially devoured 

 before life is extinct. 



Many tales are told of Eagles having carried off young children, and we know instances in 

 which they have attacked man himself. Naumann mentions an amusing example that came under 

 his own notice, a Tawny Eagle in his possession having been captured under the following circum- 

 stances : — This rash and hungry bird, he tells us, was tempted to seize upon a fine fat pig as it ran 

 about its native village ; but the pig was so obstinate as to appear by no means inclined to leave 

 this world quietly,' and uttered such piercing cries as brought a passer-by to its assistance. The 

 peasant succeeded in dislodging the Eagle, who, however, determined not to be entirely baffled, 

 pounced upon a cat that was contemplating the struggle, and flew with pussy to a neighbouring 

 hedge. Exasperated at this second attack, the man rushed into a cottage, seized a loaded gun, and 

 returned in the hope of saving the second victim ; but no sooner did the Eagle observe the approach 

 of this disturber of its quiet enjoyment than it darted upon him and attacked him with such fury that 

 he was with difficulty saved by the people who ran in answer to his cries for help, and at last 

 succeeded in taking the bird prisoner. 



When about to devour their prey these birds always retire to some spot where they are likely to 

 be unmolested ; even whilst the work of destruction is slowly going on they pause from time to time 

 and listen attentively, in the fear that an intruder is at hand. The entire carcase is in most cases con- 

 sumed, the head being first devoured, and then the rest of the body ; even the bones are crushed and 

 swallowed, but the entrails are rejected. The hair or feathers would seem to be actually necessary to 

 digestion, seeing that they are swallowed in large quantities, probably for the purpose of clearing out 

 their stomachs, where they become formed into balls, which are rejected ever}' few days in the shape 



