533. 
$34. 
+ 
FALCONID4 — BUTEONINA:: EAGLES. 555 
tarsus varies in this species; there is normally a short row of scales in front, discontinued 
about the bases of the toes, where are granular reticulations, the scutellation being resumed 
farther on the toes. Wings pointed by 3d-5th quills; 2d nearly equal to 6th: 1st longer 
than 9th; 5 to 6 emarginate on inner webs. Tail rounded, graduated or cuneate, of 12 ree- 
trices (14 in the Asiatic H. pelagicus). Feathers of neck all around lance-acute, discrete. 
About 8 species of this genus. are recognized; one of them is appropriate to this continent ; 
another occurs in Greenland; a third (H. pelagicus) may be expected in Alaska. 
Analysis of Species. 
Adult with head and tail white eee ee Hs . see ee « Lewcocephalus 534 
Adult with tail only white 2... . 2... ee albicilla 533 
H. albicil/la, (Lat. albicilla, white-tailed.) Wurrn-ramep Spa Eacus. Adult f 9: 
Dark brown, blackening on primaries, the head and neck gray, the tail white. Bill and feet 
Fic. 384.— Bald Eagle. (From Tenney, after Wilson.) 
yellow. Young with tail not white, and otherwise different. Rather larger than the next 
species. Europe, ete., only North American as ocemring in Greenland. 
H. leucoceph/alus, (Gr. Aeuxés, leucos, white; kepady, kephale, head. Fig. 384.) WuttE- 
HEADED Sea Eacue. “Barp Eacarz.” “ Birp or WASHINGTON” (the young). Adult: 
& 9: Dark brown; quills black; head and tail white; bill, eyes, and feet yellow. Length 
about 3 feet; extent 6 or 7 feet; wing 2 feet (Q ) or less (¢); tail afoot, more () orless ( @). 
Three years are required for the perfection of the white head and tail of the “bald” eagle. 
The first year, the young are ‘‘ black” eagles; very dark colored, with fleecy white bases 
of the feathers showing here and-there; bill black; iris brown; feet yellow. The next 
year, they are “gray” eagles, and usually larger than the old birds, the largest known 
specimens being of this kind. Young in the down are sooty-gray. N. Am. anywhere, 
common — for an eagle; piscivorous; a pitatical parasite of the osprey: otherwise notorious 
as the emblem of the republic. Nest on trees or cliffs; eggs ordinarily 2, white, unmarked, 
about 3.00 2.50. 
