WHITE-TAILED EAGLE. 13 



Spicer, Esq. of Esher Place, Surry, from whence it was trans- 

 ferred to Ashley Park, the seat of Sir Henry Fletcher, which 

 bird I have had frequent opportunities of observing. An- 

 other specimen, a young female, was shot in Suffolk in the 

 winter of 1831, the dimensions of which will be subjoined. 



A circumstance illustrative of the great muscular strength 

 which these birds possess, I had the pleasure of witnessing in 

 one confined in the Zoological Gardens in the Regent's Park, 

 in the severe winter of 1835. 



I was employed in completing a sketch of the bird in 

 question, when I observed him make many endeavours with 

 his beak to break the ice that had frozen upon the tub of 

 water placed in his cage. Finding all his efforts to get at 

 the water in this manner were ineffectual, he deliberately 

 mounted the uppermost perch in his cage, then suddenly 

 collecting his strength he rushed down with irresistible force, 

 and striking the ice with his powerful claws dashed it to 

 atoms, throwing the water around him in all directions. 

 After performing this feat of strength and sagacity, he quiet- 

 ly allayed his thirst and returned to his perch. This is no 

 doubt the mode employed by this species in a wild state, to 

 obtain its aquatic food, from the frozen rivers and inland seas 

 it frequents in various parts of the Continent. 



The. birds represented in this plate are from living speci- 

 mens in the Zoological Gardens. The brown specimen re- 

 presents the usual colour of the bird in adult plumage. The 

 pale ash-coloured one is a variety of the White-tailed Eagle 

 brought from Ireland. Various conjectures have been made 

 upon the unusual colour of this bird, that it proceeded from 

 its great age, &c. but none very satisfactory. Whatever may 

 be the cause it has preserved the same colour in its plumage, 

 year after year, ever since its capture. No painting can fitly 

 represent the delicate and beautiful colour of this bird. 

 When its feathers are ruffled, as may be frequently observed, 



