Norwich Castle Museum. 41 
feed on carrion. The birds of the genus SZclornis, 
Cases 16 and 17, remarkable for their peculiarly 
spotted plumage, are succeeded by the genus C77caétus, 
here fully represented; one species, C. fasczolatus 
(Case 18), of which there are two specimens in the 
collection, was formerly very rare, it will be found 
figured in the J/ézs, for the year 1862, Plate III. 
The genus /felotarsus, short-tailed Eagles of great 
beauty of plumage, but of rather grotesque appear- 
ance, are the last of the series of Buzzard Eagles. 
These birds will be found in Case 18, the last 
in the room; they are known as “ Bateleur” or 
Tumblers, from their very peculiar flight at times 
resembling that of the carrier pigeon. The Bateleurs 
are great devourers of snakes which they carry away in 
their talons. It was Mr. Gurney, I believe, who first 
suggested that it is this species which gave rise to 
the ancient fable of the Phoenix. Leaving the large 
room we now go to the bottom of the corridor, on the 
right-hand side of which we find the next 
Cases XX. and XXlI., 
commence with a new class, Maldetus—the Sea 
Eagles—a magnificent group of powerful birds fre- 
quenting both salt and fresh water in every quarter 
of the globe. They prey chiefly on fish, often how- 
ever, supplemented by other animal food. The 
largest and most powerful of these Eagles is the 
Kamskatcha Sea Eagle, the adult of which has a 
white shoulder; the fine bird with a white head, No. 
5, is the Bald Sea Eagle, the National emblem of the 
United States. On the leg of one of these adult 
birds will be noticed a chain; it was formerly for 
many years kept chained to a block at Rackheath, 
but escaped at night, conpiuity great alarm to the 
natives, 
