BIRDS OF PREY. 



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ivith the utmost promptitude, in order to avoid the anger of the bad spirits. It is a remarkable fact 

 that these strange superstitions are shared by the American Indians, by whom the body of an 

 Eagle, coloured with red paint, and surmounted with the tail of a rattlesnake, is often employed to 

 symbolise some notable deed of daring. Some tribes regard the plumes as tokens of bravery, placing 

 a feather Upon their heads for every enemy they kill, and, when engaged in war, often fasten these 

 feathers to their weapons, or wear them in their hair. 



THE IMPERIAL EAGLE (Aquila imperialis). 



THE SPOTTED EAGLE. 

 The Spotted Eagle (Aquita navid) is met with in great numbers in Germany, Russia, and 

 some of the southern parts of our continent ; it also inhabits Asia, and during the winter is frequently 

 seen in North Africa. This species is not more than from twenty-five to twenty-seven inches in 

 length, and from five feet four inches to five feet eight inches broad ; the wing measures from eighteen 

 to nineteen inches and three-quarters, and the tail from nine and a half to ten inches. In the adult 

 the plumage is of a uniform brown, darkest and most glossy upon the back ; the back of the head is 

 yellowish red or pale fawn colour ; the centre quills are distinctly striped, the upper and lower wing- 



