AQUILA AUDAX. 



(Wedge-tailed Eagle.) 



Male. — Greneral plumage, blackisli brown ; the edges and tips of the wing coverts and upper tail coverts, pale brown ; sides and back of the 

 head, clothed with lanceolate feathers of reddish brown ; cere and orbits, yellowish white ; irides, reddish brown ; bill, yellowish horn color, 

 tipped with black ; feet, light yellow ; claws, black. 



The Female has the general plumage of a lighter tint, and the feathers margined in a larger proportion with the rusty red. In 

 the young birds the plumage is very much margined with ferruginous, both on the upper and under surface, and the head and neck are lighter 

 than in the adult birds. The female is larger than the male. 



Male. — Expanse, 6 feet 8 inches ; length, 85 inches ; wing, 24 ; tail, 18^ ; bill, 2| ; tarsus, 4f . 



This fine and distinct species of eagle is the largest raptorial bird in Australia, in every known portion of which it is to be 

 found. In Tasmania and all the southern parts of the continent it is rather numerous, so much so as to prove a considerable source of 

 annoyance to the squatter, uj)on whose flocks (more especially at the lambing season) it commits great depredation. In some districts it is 

 more plentiful at one time than at another. Thus Captain Sturt mentions its scarcity about the Depot, Cooper's Creek, he only having 

 observed two specimens during his six months' detention at that spot. Mr. "White, of Adelaide, says he found it very plentiful in all parts of 

 South Australia, especially toicards the north, having seen sixty or seventy at a time, soaring high in the air, or perched about in the trees. 

 Dense forests and open plains are equally frequented. It is certainly not often seen in Queensland, and becomes more rare to the northward. 

 The flight of this species is soaring and majestic, and performed frequently at an immense elevation, appearing as a small speck in the blue 

 sky. It circles round and round with scarcely a movement of the wings, and from its high position descends with startling rapidity upon its 

 quarry. The natural prey of this powerful eagle consists of large birds and small quadrupeds of the. kangaroo tribe; rats also form a 

 principal portion of its food. "When it swoops down upon a wallaby the latter seems paralysed, and thus forms an easy prey. Like the 

 vulture, it delights in carrion, and the putrid carcase of a horse or bullock never comes amiss. On such occasions large numbers may be 

 observed enjoying their unclean repast. When gorged almost to suffocation, it resorts to the nearest tree, and perches there until again 

 prepared to renew the feast. When thus engaged it is not difiicult to approach, as at other times. It is generally seen in pairs. When 

 found troublesome about stations the aid of poison is usually resorted to as the best mode of getting rid of them. The nest of the Wedge- 

 tailed Eagle is always placed in the fork of a large tree, usually a gum (Mr. White, of Adelaide, saw one built in a pine), not invariably near 

 the top, but always in the most inaccessible position. The nest is flat, and composed of large sticks. The eggs are two in number, stone 

 color, blotched and marked with reddish and yellowish brown. Size, 3 by 2\ inches. 



