166 ornithologist's text-book. 



groups ; in consequence of which their prey is 

 mostly pounced upon the ground. They attack the 

 larger birds and quadrupeds, and, unless pressed 

 by extremity of hunger, refuse to feed upon carrion, 

 or even any prey already dead. Their form is com- 

 pact and strong, and their gait and aspect are 

 active and alert, being entirely devoid of the slug- 

 gish appearance that characterizes the genera more 

 nearly allied in habits and form to the Vulturida. 

 The genus possesses an extensive geographical 

 distribution, the species being found in all quarters 

 of the globe. These are mostly the inhabitants of 

 mountainous districts, where they breed amongst 

 inaccessible precipices, and in lofty trees. The 

 young are four or five years in attaining maturity, 

 and during this period, undergo considerable 

 changes of plumage." — Selby, Brit. Orn. 



GOLDEN EAGLE.* 



Aquila aurea, Will. 



" On the frontispiece there is a figure of the 

 female Golden Eagle, in the attitude which it as- 

 sumes when apparently exulting over the prey 

 which it has captured, and in the act of clutching 

 it to death. The figure is about one eighth of the 

 lineal dimensions of nature ; and it will give some 

 idea of the attitude, though it is not possible to 

 give the expression on so small a scale, or indeed 

 on any scale. The spirit of an excited Eagle can 

 be felt only by those who are familiar with the 

 birds (such familiarity as man can have with 



* The publishers of the Feoth. Tribes (Whittaker & Co.) having 

 objected to our reprinting an entire article from that work, we have 

 been obliged to cancel several paragraphs. — N. W, 



