Size. 
Food. 
Nest, &c. 
6 RAPACES. FALCO. LAGLES. 
It is amongst the largest of the European species, the fe- 
males often measuring three feet and a half in length, and 
upwards of eight feet across, when the wings are extended. 
It is a native of the mountainous parts of Ireland and Scot- 
land, where it is still by no means of rare occurrence, and 
may generally be seen soaring to a vast height in the air. 
In those districts, it often commits great havoc amongst the 
lambs, and is therefore proscribed by the inhabitants, who 
use every method in their power to extirpate the breed; but 
the inaccessible nature of the cliffs in which its eyry is gene- 
rally placed, proves a sufficient safeguard. 
Its prey consists of the larger quadrupeds and birds, such 
as roebucks, fawns, lambs, black and red grouse, &c.; and 
it is only under extremity of hunger that the Golden Eagle 
will feed upon a dead carcase, or carrion.—Its nest is usually 
placed upon some shelf of rock, or on the summit of a tree 
that springs from the cliff ; is of large dimensions, and formed 
of sticks, heath, &c. The eggs, generally two in number, are 
of a greyish-white colour, clouded with spots of reddish- 
brown. An interesting description of the nest and young 
of this species, found in the woodlands of the Peak of Der- 
byshire, is given in WiLLoucusy’s Ornithology, who rightly 
conjectured that the Golden and Ring-tailed Eagles formed 
but one species. 
The vision of the Eagle is wonderfully acute, and the dis- 
tance at which it can discern its prey is truly astonishing. 
Monracu *, in the Supplement to his Ornithological Dic- 
tionary, mentions some curious instances of the perfection of 
this faculty. Indeed, it would appear, that the elevated 
nus Larus (Gull) do not breed previous to the attainment of their adult 
plumage. What would therefore contradict the usual course of Nature, 
must be admitted with suspicion, and leads me, inclined as I am to the opi- 
nion of their identity, to believe in the unintentional inaccuracy of the 
assertion. It is a point fairly open to strict examination, and one that 
courts positive proof. 
* See Monv. Ornith. Dict. Supplem. articles Ring-tail Eagle, &c. 
