BIRDS OF PREY. jg 



usually build upon the summits of trees ; sometimes, however, though rarely, their nest is placed in 

 holes of rocks. The cradle for their young is formed of three distinct layers, the first being formed 

 of thick and knotty branches, the second consists of twigs, moss, and large leaves, and the third is 

 a lining composed of still more delicate and elastic materials ; the whole structure is about four or five 

 feet in diameter, and so strongly built that it will bear a man's weight ; the same nest is repaired and 

 employed year after year during the entire life of the couple by whom it w r as originally constructed. 

 The eggs, of which there are two, are about three inches long, pure white, and almost round. The 

 female alone broods, but both parents unite in the enormous labour required to feed their voracious 

 young, whose gaping mouths they find it almost impossible to satisfy ; indeed, the tales told of the 

 quantity they devour seem almost to border on the fabulous, 



THE TUFTED EAGLE. 



The Tufted Eagle {Lophoaetos occipitalis), also an inhabitant of Africa, is considerably smaller 

 than its congeners, and easily recognisable by the crest that adorns its head. The body is compact, 

 the wings long, the tail short, and the tarsi high. The plumage is almost entirely dark brown, deepest 

 in shade upon the belly, and lightest on the breast ; the edges of the wings, the base of the crest, 

 lower wing-covers, the plumage upon the tarsi, roots of the tail-feathers, and three crooked streaks 

 passing over the tail are of a whitish hue. The eyes are bright yellow, the beak greyish blue, dark at 

 its tip, and light towards its base ; the cere is pale yellow, and the feet straw colour. The length of 

 this bird is about nineteen inches and three-quarters, its breadth forty-six inches ; the 'wing measures 

 twelve and three-quarters, the tail seven inches. The female is one inch and a quarter longer and 

 two inches broader than her mate. 



The Tufted Eagle is met with in considerable numbers in the countries watered by the Upper 

 Nile, where it usually frequents groups of Mimosa trees, perching amongst the branches for hours 

 together, with eyes half closed, as it lazily spreads or closes the crest upon its head. At such times it 

 has very little the appearance' of a bird of prey ; but should some poor mouse, rat, pigeon, or squirrel 

 venture near the spot where it indolently reposes, all the instincts of an Eagle are at once exhibited, 

 and the apparently idle dreamer darts down upon its victim with a boldness and rapacity fully 

 equalling that displayed by some European Hawks ; in fact, despite the smallness of its size, it may be 

 regarded as one of the most terrible of the numerous freebooters inhabiting the African forests. YVe 

 learn from Le Vaillant that this species builds upon trees, and lines its nest with wool or feathers, and 

 that the eggs, two in number, are almost round, of a whitish colour, and marked with reddish-brown 

 spots. The Tufted Eagle is but rarely brought to Europe ; indeed, the Zoological Gardens of London, 

 Antwerp, and Hamburg are, we believe, the only places of public resort that have boasted a living 

 specimen of this very striking species, whose streaming crest, dark, rich plumage, and fiery eyes, cannot 

 fail to render it an object of interest. It may be kept alive for many years in this country if carefully 

 tended, and is but little sensitive as to climate. A Tufted Eagle that we saw in confinement was 

 very lively, and uttered its cry lustily, both morning and evening ; but in its general behaviour showed 

 little of the courage for which it is remarkable in a state of freedom. 



The DESTROYING EAGLES {Pternura) constitute a race of South American birds, very 

 closely resembling the Tufted Eagle in their general appearance, but recognisable by the comparative 

 length of their wings (in which the fifth quill is longer than the rest), and by the shortness of 

 their toes. 



