158 TEXT-BOOK OF ZOOLOGY 



sea-eagle is distributed almost over the whole earth. In places where 

 the waters remain unfrozen throughout the year it is a resident ; in 

 other places it migrates south on the approach of winter. 



The Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetus) inhabits the mountains and 

 large forests of Europe and Asia. Its size (over 3 feet), its handsome 

 dark brown plumage, its bold, fiery eye, its powerful claws, and its 

 majestic flights, extending to heights in which it appears a mere speck, 

 fully entitle it to its designation as " king of the air." It is the symbol of 

 strength and power, and as such figures in the coat of arms of many 

 imperial and royal dynasties. The bird builds its nest on the summit 

 of lofty trees or in the recesses of inaccessible cliffs. Its food consists of 

 all kinds of birds and mammals. When pressed by hunger, it will even 

 seize a lamb or kid under the very eye of the herdsman, carrying off 

 its prey through the air in its powerful talons. Among the game it often 

 makes greater havoc than the severest winter. 



The Bearded Vulture, or Lammergeier (Gypaetus barbaius). — This 

 species occupies an intermediate position between the vultures and the 

 falcons. In its short toes, with their blunted claws, and the strong 

 beak, it resembles the vultures (which see), whilst the neck is covered 

 with feathers, as in the falcons. It kills living animals (chamois, 

 goats, etc.) by driving them down into abysses, but will also eat carrion. 

 It was once widely distributed in the Alps, but is now almost exterminated. 

 In the high mountain ranges of the countries bordering the Mediterranean, 

 however, it is still frequently met with. The plumage is black on the 

 back ; the neck and under surface are rufous yellow. A beard-like tuft 

 of feathers is found underneath the bill (hence the name bearded vulture). 



Family 2: Vultures (Vulturidae). 



The Condor (Sarcorhamphus gryphus). 



This gigantic bird, measuring over 3£ feet in length, inhabits the 

 Andes of South America. Its plumage is black, with the exception of 

 the large flight-feathers and the downy ruff, which are white. The head, 

 which is naked, is blackish-grey, and the neck, also naked, of a fleshy- 

 red colour. The male, like our domestic cock, has a red fleshy comb 

 upon the root of the beak and the forehead. The condor is not a true 

 raptorial bird ; this is sufficiently indicated by its feeble toes, the claws 

 of which are short and blunt (compare with buzzard). When pressed by 

 hunger, it will attack larger living animals ; but, being unable to seize 

 them (like the falcons), it worries them to death — pushes them down 

 precipices or inflicts mortal wounds on them with its beak while on the 



