The Birds of El Paso County, Colorado 503 



The breeding range of this species is coincident with that 

 of Swainson's Hawk but incubation begins about two weeks 

 earlier, eggs being found as early as April 15. 



Aiken has had a number of specimens in the melanistic 

 plumage, and there is a fine mounted example of this in the 

 Aiken Collection at Colorado College. 



Aquila chrysaetos. Golden Eagle. 



Resident, not uncommon, especially in winter. 



These winter eagles come from the north and the moun- 

 tains, and range out over the plains hunting jack rabbits and 

 piairie dogs, while dead cattle and horses are not disdained. 



A pair breed in North Cheyenne Caiion ; they are said to 

 have two eyries, one on either side of the canon, and to breed 

 in each in alternate years. About 1875 Aiken had Golden 

 Eagle eggs brought to him which were obtained at the bluffi 

 north of Colorado Springs. 



The Golden Eagle is reported to be one of the worst 

 enemies of the mountain sheep, killing many of their lambs. 

 A Mr. Waldron told Aiken that many years ago when driving 

 on the plains with several others he saw an eagle of this 

 species attack and kill an antelope. The bird pursued a bunch 

 of the animals, singling out one, and when close enough struck 

 it on the back with its talons, and while clinging there and 

 tearing with claws and beak it at the same time beat its prey's 

 sides with its wings. The men drove close enough to shoo: 

 the eagle, and found the antelope to be dead with its back 

 badly torn by the bird. Aiken was also told that an eagle was 

 seen to pounce upon a two-year-old calf near Hartsel but was 

 driven away before any harm was done. Rather large prey 

 for the bird to tackle. 



Halisetus leucocephalus leucocephalus. Bald Eagle. 

 Formerly quite common, but have been killed ofiE. 



