BIRDS OF PREY. 2I 



numbers ; indeed, the Prince von Wied, who first discovered this species, only captured one specimen, 

 and Burmeister saw but two during his travels. The bird shot by the first-mentioned naturalist was 

 killed whilst in the act of seizing an opossum. Monkeys and small quadrupeds of all kinds constitute 

 its usual food. The nest, which was built upon the branch of a tree, contained but .two eggs. These 

 scanty particulars include all the information that has as yet been obtained respecting its habits. 



Brehm mentions having seen a still rarer species, the Pternura Isidori, in confinement, and tells 

 us that when first caged it proved extremely fierce and shy, becoming, however, much tamer after a 

 few months. It would eat every kind of animal food, even fish ; but always carefully examined any 

 new viand before proceeding to devour it. This bird exhibited perfect indifference to change of 

 climate, frequently remaining voluntarily exposed to a pelting rain or fall of snow when it could have 

 readily found shelter beneath the roof of its cage. 



The BRAZILIAN EAGLES (Morphmis), also inhabitants of the woods of Brazil, form a 

 race of remarkable birds, concerning whose proper position there has been great variety of opinion, 

 seeing that they combine the size, strength, and noble appearance of an Eagle with the shape of the 

 Sparrow Hawk. All the members of this group possess stout bodies and large heads ; their wings are 

 short, their tails broad and long ; the tarsus is at least twice as long as the middle toe, and but slightly 

 covered with feathers below the heel, the other parts being protected with horny plates ; the toes are 

 powerful, though short, and armed with strong, sharp talons ; the beak is long, shallow, and com- 

 paratively weak ; the upper mandible terminates in an abrupt hook, and its edges bulge slightly 

 outwards. 



THE CRESTED BRAZILIAN EAGLE. 



The Crested Brazilian Eagle (Morphnus Guianensis) is the species with which we are 

 most familiar. In length this bird measures twenty-five, in breadth fifty-seven inches ; the wing from 

 fifteen to sixteen, and the tail from eleven to twelve inches. The long, streaming, and somewhat owl- 

 like plumage is prolonged at the back of the neck into a crest six inches long, and varies considerably 

 according to the age of the specimen. We learn from the Prince von Wied that the head, throat, 

 breast, belly, rump, and legs are of spotless white, only varied here and there by a slight yellow shade ; 

 the back, shoulders, and wing-covers are of a pale greyish red, the feathers being spotted and mottled 

 with red ; the quills and tail are blackish brown, edged with a narrow irregular greyish-red line. 

 Pelzehn considers that the plumage above described belongs to the young, and tells us that as they 

 increase in age their feathers become darker. According to this authority, the old birds are dark 

 brown upon the head and throat, and greenish black upon the whole of the upper part of the body 

 and breast ; the upper tail-covers being streaked and tipped with white. We must leave it to future 

 naturalists to decide which of these descriptions is correct. 



These Eagles inhabit the whole of South America, frequenting both the forests near the coast and 

 such fertile spots as are occasionally found upon the barren steppes ; but districts near rivers appear to 

 be their favourite resorts. According to Schomburghk, they are easily recognisable by their loud 

 cry, and by the effect of their snowy plumage, which acquires new beauty by contrast with the deep 

 blue sky under which they wheel their rapid and varied flight. When about to perch they select the 

 summit of a lofty tree, and often linger for hours together upon the same branch, almost motionless, 

 or amusing themselves by playing with and exhibiting their flowing crests in a variety of positions. 

 We learn from the Prince von Wied that they subsist principally upon opossums and monkeys, but 

 will also devour a great variety of small quadrupeds and birds. The capture of the Crested Brazilian 

 Eagles is attended with considerable difficulty, and their eyries are almost inaccessible, owing to the 

 great height of the trees upon which they are built. It would seem that these birds are by no means 



