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According to Canon Tristram (Ibis, 1865, p. 252), " the Tawny Eagle is much more common 

 throughout the year than Aquila ncevia, and is much bolder and more familiar in its habits. It 

 almost deserves the name of the parasitic Eagle, from the unscrupulous way in which it pursues 

 and robs lesser birds of prey of their booty. It is more abundant in the maritime plains and in 

 the inhabited central country than in the east or south. One nest only rewarded our search. 

 This was in April, on the north side of Mount Carmel. We frequently noticed the Tawny Eagle 

 in the neighbourhood of Damascus and in Ccele Syria, to which region many of the species seem 

 to retire for nidification in the spring. A young nestling was brought to me in April at Jericho, 

 and another at Jerusalem a fortnight later." 



Whether true Aquila rapax is found in North-eastern Africa or not I cannot say, but think 

 it probable that it is. The Abyssinian form is much paler than Aquila rapax from South 

 Africa, and appears to be fairly separable. 



Some very interesting and important notes on Aquila rapax and its allies are published by 

 Mr. J. H. Gurney (Ibis, 1877, pp. 224-236), to which I may refer my readers. I quite agree 

 with Mr. Gurney that Aquila albicans, Eiipp. (Neue Wirbelth. p. 34, pi. 13, 1835), can quite 

 fairly be kept separate as a distinct form ; but I scarcely think that the Algerian and North-west 

 African form can be separated from the South- African bird, although so few examples from 

 North-west Africa are to be found in collections, that it is impossible to give a decided opinion. 



In Algeria the Tawny Eagle is said to be tolerably common, though specimens from there 

 are very rare in collections. Mr. O. Salvin writes (Ibis, 1859, p. 181), " I several times had 

 opportunities of observing a pair of these birds about a cliff which faces the south in the vicinity 

 of Kef Laks. About the fourth week in April I discovered the nest, to which I sent Mohamed, 

 but without result ; the eggs had not been deposited. At Djendeli, in the Salt-lake district, I 

 obtained a specimen. This bird, the skin of which I have still, seemed to have missed its moult, 

 as the plumage was very much faded. So light-coloured is it, that it may bear comparison with 

 the figure of Aquila belisarius given in Levaillant's ' Exploration Scientifique d'Algerie,' which, 

 there is no doubt, is referable to this species. A few of the dark feathers of the fresh moult just 

 show themselves. On dissection, the sex was not to be traced. While staying at the same place 

 a young bird just beginning to change its down for feathers was brought to us. This we took 

 from place to place, and eventually deposited it in the Gardens of the Zoological Society of 

 London, where it may now be seen." M. Favier obtained this Eagle at Tangier; and Lord 

 Lilford, who has received examples from Mogador, says that it is of frequent occurrence in Tunis. 

 It has more than once been sent from Senegal ; and, according to Mr. Andersson (B. of Damara 

 Land, p. 6), "the Tawny Eagle is not uncommon in Damara Land and Great Namaqua Land. 

 It perches usually on the topmost branches of lofty trees, often remaining stationary for hours 

 together ; it builds on the top of high, and generally inaccessible trees, and constructs a large 

 nest of dry sticks. It is very destructive to the young of diminutive antelopes, and to hares, 

 Bustards, and Plovers ; but it also feeds largely (and, I fancy, by choice) on carrion, besides 

 which it devours fish, frogs, and earthworms ; it pursues and plunders other less powerful birds 

 of prey, and also robs the sportsman of wounded game." It has been recorded from the 

 Mossamedes district, in Benguela, and, Mr. Layard says, is the commonest Eagle in the Cape-of- 

 Good-Hope colony, whence it extends its range in a north-easterly direction to the Transvaal. 



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