GOLDEN EAGLE. 



93 



when circling high in the air its iiight is graceful and resembles closely 

 that of the Goldeu Eagle. In fact, in parts of the West it is knowD 

 by the name Eagle. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Legs densely feathered in front and on sides down to base of toes. 

 Width of bill at corners, 1.70 to 1.90 inches (42 to 48™'"). Upper parts, 

 generally, and thighs rusty; the former streaked longitudinally and the 

 latter transversely; tail white, washed with ashy gray or rusty; lower 

 parts pure white. 



Length: 22.,50 to 35 inches (572 to 635"""); extent, 54 to 56.50 inches 

 (1370 to 1435"""); wing, 15.90 to 18.80 inches (404 to 477"'">); tail, 9.50 

 to 11 inches (242 to 280"""). 



Table ahorving the results of an exiimlnalion of 1 stomach of the Squirrel HawTc 

 {Arvhibuteo ferrugineus). 



GOLDEN EAGLE. 



Aquila chrysaetos. 



[Plato 13— Adult.] 



The Golden Eagle inhabits the northern portions of the northern hemi- 

 sphere ranging south in North America to southern California, Arizona, 

 New Mexico, Texas, and Georgia. It seems to be nowhere a common 

 species in the Bast, but it is much more numerous in the mountainous 

 parts of the far West. It is confined chiefly to the mountains and more 

 northern latitudes, where it breed.s. It is able to endure intense cold, 

 and sometimes remains far north in winter. In fact, its movements 

 at J;hat season are more in the form of wandering for food than regular 

 migration to the south. 



The food con sists mainly of miimmals and birds, of which spermo] )hiles, 

 rabbits, fawns, lambs, turkeys, grouse, water fowl and other large 

 birds form the principal part, though offal and carrion are sometimes 

 taken. 



Audubon speaks of the food as follows: "Young fawns, raccoons, 

 hares, wild turkeys and other large birds are their usual food, and they 

 devour putrid flesh only when hard pressed." (Ornith. Biography, 

 vol. II, p. 467.) In the north, Mr. MacFarlane states that they feed on 

 ducks, mice, and other small animals, partridges, and the fawn of the 

 reindeer. (Hist. North Am. Birds, vol. iii, p. 318.) 



Oapt. Charles E. Bendire, speaking of them in Oregon, says: "They 



