2 A CATAIOGITE OF THE BIEDS 



days before at Elsdon, and brougM to I^ewcastle for preservation, 

 ''measuring between the tips of tbe wings five feet eight incbes." 

 My attention has been kindly drawn to tbis paragraph by Mr. 

 James Clephan. There can be little doubt that the specimen 

 alluded to was really a Golden Eagle: the expression "Eiag- 

 tailed kind/' and the measurement, would seem to prove this. 



The Golden Eagle, which appears to have been formerly a 

 resident in our district, can now only rank as a casual visitant. 



"When in jS^orway, in 1833, I had the satisfaction of seeing an 

 eyry of the Golden Eagle. I was led to it by observing an Eagle 

 perched on a cliff watching my movements, and on my approach- 

 ing the spot it immediately rose, giving a cry of alarm. On 

 this it was at once joined by its mate, which came from a crag 

 higher up the mountain, and both birds kept circling about, high 

 above my head. It was evident that their nest was not far off. 

 I then ascended towards the crag from which the second Eagle 

 came, and, as I advanced, the birds approached closer and closer 

 to me, uttering their peculiar hoarse, barking cry. I continued 

 advancing till I was within twenty or thirty yards of the nest. 

 The birds then came swooping dovm, rushing towards my head, 

 and striking out their powerful legs, evidently to intimidate me. 

 I could distinctly hear the whirring of their wings. It was not 

 altogether very pleasant, particularly as I had nothing to defend 

 myself with. I sought about and procured a stick, for I felt as- 

 sured that had I come upon the nest they would have made an 

 attack on me. It was beyond reach, however, being placed on 

 a crag behind a projecting rock. It was afterwards ascertained 

 by my companions, on a second ascent, to contain an egg and a 

 young bird, and was of great size, being composed externally of 



sticks. 



2. HALIAETUS, Savigny. 



2. "White-tailed Eagle. H. albicilla, Linnceus. 



Falco alhicilla, Eewick, Hist. Brit. Birds, Ed. 1847, I., 25. 



Maliaetus alhicilla, Yarrell, Hist. Brit. Bii-ds, Ed. 4, I., 25. 



This is a rare casual visitant. 



In Sclby's catalogue three White-tailed Eagles are stated to 



