204 



WILD SPAIN. 



Spanish lowlands. The Imperial Eagle is, par excellence, 

 the monarch of the plain — resident throughout the year 

 (though the young are known, occasionally, to cross the 

 Pyrenees into France), and in his varied phases compara- 

 tively common. Next in importance comes a large tawny 

 eagle of, as yet, undefined specific rank, which, for the 

 reasons above set forth, we consider entitled to a place in 

 the list. Then, in spring, come the Booted and Serpent- 

 Eagles from Africa to nest on Spanish soil and prey on 

 its abundant reptile-life. But in winter two other species 

 descend from their mountain-homes to prey on the game 

 and wildfowl of the lowlands. These are the Golden Eagle 

 and Bonelli's Eagle — both described more particularly in 

 the next chapter— of which we have shot specimens 

 on the plains during the winter months. The two 

 Golden Eagles now in the Zoological Gardens were 

 both shot by us in the flat country, or campina, in the 

 neighbourhood of Jerez de la Frontera — one winged as it 

 flew to roost in the pinoles of Los Inglesillos, the other by 

 a chance shot in the rough, broken country beyond 

 Garciagos. 



AT ROOST— SERPENT-EAGLES. 



