148 THE BIEDS OF MONGOLIA ETC. 



such inaccessible places and trees ; and I once found, on the shore of Lake 

 Hanka, in a spot seldom visited, a nest on a willow not more than fourteen 

 feet from the ground. The access to this nest was very easy ; but being only 

 small, in all probability it belonged to young birds. 



On comparing the Mongolia and Ussuri specimens with birds obtained 

 in Europe, I find that the Eastern Asiatic form is smaller ; but European 

 specimens also differ very much in their dimensions. 



Measurements : — 



Length. Width. Wing. Tail. Culmen. Gape. Tarsus, 



in. in. in. in. in. in. in. 



6. Ussuri . . ? ? 24-5 11 252 29 3'9 



c?. Mongolia . 32 69 23 105 222 273 37 



12. Haliaetus macei, Cuv. 



Haliaetus macei, Temm. PI. Col. tab. viii. 



The first time we met with this species was on the northern bend of the 

 Hoang-ho ; there we found it tolerably common. Like the preceding one, 

 also, the present principally feeds upon fish, although it occasionally, when 

 pressed for food, attacks birds. Once 1 saw this Eagle chasing a Widgeon, 

 pursuing it very quickly; and I beUeve that even carrion does not come 

 amiss to it. In habits it much resembles its relation the White-tailed Sea- 

 Eagle. In flight it is strong and hght ; but I never saw it soaring about 

 high up in the air, but we often noticed it flying very low above a lake or 

 river, almost touching the water with its wings. When tired, or after 

 feeding, it rests on the rocky shores. It is by no means shy, and will allow 

 a very near approach ; and when disturbed it usually describes a circle in 

 the air above the sportsman, and this is a chance for a good shot. 



This species breeds, perhaps, on the isolated trees of the Hoang-ho 

 valley or on the heaps of stones built up by the Mongols (termed " obo ") 

 and kept by them as sacred ; for in both the above-mentioned places we have 



