64 BIRDS OF THE WORLD 



her eggs, and plundered the nest before the eyes of 

 the pair, without either of them flapping a pinion 

 to defend what even a little Shrike will stoop at once 

 to save." Another writer says that he generally 

 found these birds gorged with carrion, sitting stupidly 

 around, when they would allow one to come within 

 a few yards of them. See Plate 3, Fig. 10. 



The White-tailed Eagle, or Sea Eagle, is found in 

 the more northern parts of Europe and America. In 

 general colour it somewhat resembles the Golden 

 Eagle, but whereas in that species the legs are feath- 

 ered to the toes, in the Sea Eagle the tarsus, or shank, 

 is covered with small yellow scales. Very old birds 

 have the head and neck almost white. The white tail 

 is not acquired until the bird is several years old. 



This bird lives, for the most part, on fish and offal 

 cast up by the sea. Occasionally it preys upon hares 

 and rabbits, and when much pressed by hunger it has 

 been known to attack lambs. See Plate 3, Fig. 9. 



A somewhat smaller bird than the preceding, but 

 resembling it in character and in appearance, is the 

 Bald Eagle of America, which figures as our national 

 emblem. The female is larger than the male, but both 

 have white heads and tails, the rest of the plimiage 

 being a dark chocolate-brown. The white-feathered 

 head has probably led to the name bald. The bill is yel- 

 lowish, the feet are a brighter golden yellow, the claws 

 black. While extremely fond of fish, the Bald Eagle 

 is not a particularly good fisherman, and does not 

 scruple to take advantage of the Fish Hawk's greater 

 skill. Watching its opportunity, the Eagle pounces 

 upon the Fish Hawk as it rises from the water with 



