THE BIEDS OF MONGOLIA ETC. 147 



especially in the neighbourhood of Lake Hanka, the White-tailed Sea-Eagle 

 is extremely common. It also inhabits the shores of the Japanese sea as a 

 resident ; whilst in Ussuri and about Lake Hanka it leaves for the winter and 

 returns only in February. 



This Eagle can usually be seen sitting on some high dry tree near the shore 

 of a river or lake ; and, not being pursued by men, it is very tame, although, 

 as a rule, difficult to approach within a hundred yards on land ; but from a 

 boat the closest possible shot at it may be obtained. In spring, individuals 

 are so daring about Lake Hanka that more than once I had my birds carried 

 away by them when they fell shot dead or wounded on the ground. It often 

 preys upon the migrating Geese and Ducks, especially upon those which are 

 wearied by the journey. Later on, when Lake Hanka is clear of ice, the species 

 chiefly eats fish which get washed on shore during a storm. Once I found 

 in the nest of a White-tailed Eagle about ten tolerably good-sized fish, which 

 were so far decomposed that the smell could hardly be endured. The owner 

 does not mind this. Also it steals now and then. For instance, when going 

 up the Ussuri, in December 1867, I observed some Eagles in a large forest, 

 which were sitting near a hiding-place for fish caught by the native Ortochi ; 

 and these birds, in company with Ravens, were eating and scattering the 

 contents all over the place. I may remark here that the hiding-place was 

 situated in a forest, and the fish were covered with dry branches. The Ravens 

 most likely discovered it, and were accompanied afterwards by the Eagles. 



In the neighbourhood of Lake Hanka they build their nests in forests or 

 small groves standing amidst large marshes, and also on isolated big trees 

 near rivers. The nest is constructed of dry sticks on great oak, elm, or lime 

 trees, sometimes in the forks of branches, but usually on the top of such trees 

 as are broken during a storm ; some of these nests assume enormous dimen- 

 sions. I obtained eggs in the middle of April, a portion of which were quite 

 fresh, whilst others were very much incubated. The earliest young were 

 taken on the 9th of May, about the size of a Teal ; and they usually leave 

 the nest about July. If not disturbed, this species does not always build on 



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