IMPERIAL EAGLE. 59 



The Eagles form M. Temminck's second division of 

 the Falconides, the typical Falcons or noble birds of 

 prey being the first. The separation of this family into 

 two classes — the noble and ignoble birds of prey — 

 had its origin in the pastime of Falconry. A higher 

 principle, however, that arising from structure, especially 

 in the beak and wings, and a greater amount of in- 

 telligence, places the Falcons, according to the strict 

 rules which guided men like Temminck and Cuvier, 

 before the larger and more powerful Eagles. 



The Eagles, particularly the large species, are from 

 five to six years in arriving at their perfect plumage. 

 Their vision is very acute, and they are provided with 

 a peculiar membrane, by the assistance of which they 

 can see against the sun. Their nest, termed an eyrie, 

 is generally placed among inaccessible rocks. They 

 mostly prey upon small live mammals and birds, — some 

 feed upon fish and insects. 



The Imperial Eagle, the subject of this notice, is 

 one of the most beautiful birds of its tribe. It was 

 long confounded with the Golden Eagle of the British 

 lists, but it is readily distinguished by the specific 

 characters, given above. It inhabits the extensive 

 mountain forests in the middle, south, and east of 

 Europe. It is found in Turkey, Hungary, Dalmatia, 

 and the south of Russia; and is included in Machado's 

 "List of the Birds of Andalusia." It occurs acciden- 

 tally in the Pyrenees, and in the south of France. 

 M. Crespon records its appearance in the departments 

 of Gard and the Rhone; and M. Tyzenhaus says it is 

 found rarely in Lithuania, where it has been known, 

 in one instance to breed. It has a wide range, being 

 found commonly in Egypt and Barbary, in India, and 

 in the north of Africa. 



