BIRDS OF PREY. 1 5 



straw colour. The young are of a pale rust red upon the lower part of the body, but in other respects 

 resemble their parents. The nestlings are brown above, and reddish yellow beneath; the shafts of the 

 feathers are not striped, and there is no white upon the shoulder. 



THE DWARF EAGLE. 

 The Dwarf Eagle (Hieraetos minutd) is pale reddish brown upon the head and nape, 

 longitudinally marked with black streaks, which are most prominent upon the fore part of the head ; 

 the mantle is brown, the long shoulder-feathers blackish brown ; the tail is pale brown, tipped with a 

 light shade and surrounded by three or four distinct black borders ; the eyes are encircled by a dark 

 ring ; the hose, tarsi, and lower wing-covers are paler than the rest of the body ; this species has also 

 the white spot upon the shoulders ; the eye is brown, the beak blue at the base, black at the tip ; the 

 cere and toes are lemon yellow. The young are light rust red upon the head, which is distinctly 

 marked with black upon the fore part ; the entire body is paler than that of the older birds, and the 

 borders upon the tail-covers scarcely perceptible. The habitat of the Dwarf Eagles lies within the 

 south and south-eastern portions of our continent ; what parts of Asia they inhabit is still unknown, 

 but the Booted species is found throughout the whole of India and Ceylon, and breeds in both 

 countries ; during the summer they are very common in Europe, but they migrate either in pairs or 

 flocks as winter approaches, at which season they visit Egypt and the upper parts of the Nile in large 

 numbers. In their habits and disposition the Dwarf Eagles are by no means inferior to the True 

 Eagles, even exceeding the latter birds in energy and activity, but they do not equal them in prudence 

 and foresight. Their flight is rapid, powerful, and light ; they hover with ease, and soar high 

 into the air, darting with the rapidity of an arrow upon their prey, and sometimes flying near the 

 ground while engaged in its pursuit. When about to perch they select low branches, upon which they 

 sit erect and motionless, but most carefully observant of all that passes around them. We have never 

 seen one of these birds alone ; they are always met with either in pairs or small parties, that remain 

 together even during their migrations. The cry of both species is clear, and has a piping sound. Birds 

 of very various kinds and many small quadrupeds are eagerly pursued by the Dwarf Eagle, who prefers 

 woodland districts for its hunting-grounds, and captures its prey after the manner of the Hawk. The 

 breeding season commences about the month of April, and the eyrie is built with slender branches 

 upon the top of a lofty tree. Several pairs are usually found brooding in close proximity to 

 each other. The eggs, two in number, resemble those of the Hawk in size, form, and colour. 

 When first hatched the young are covered with long, light, silky down, which is yellow upon the 

 top of the head. During such time as the female is engaged in sitting upon the nest, she is constantly 

 relieved for hours at a time by her mate, who frequently takes her place, and exhibits the utmost 

 constancy in his demonstrations of attachment. Wodzicki tells us that when about to approach its 

 eyrie, the Dwarf Eagle perches upon a branch at some distance from it, lowers its head, inflates its 

 crop, and walks slowly into the nest. During the period of incubation, these birds, if molested, 

 exhibit great courage and fierceness ; towards the Screech Owl in particular they manifest an inveterate 

 hatred, that leads to many deadly encounters. 



The WEDGE-TAILED EAGLES (Uroactos) constitute a group of large birds that inhabit 

 Australia. In shape and plumage they resemble the True Eagles, but are distinguishable from them 

 by their elongated powerful beaks, long and abruptly-graduated tails, and by the lengthy feathers that 

 adorn the back of the neck. 



