THE WHITE-TAILED EAGLE. 



Halia'etus albicilla (Linnaeus). 

 Plate 33. 



The White-tailed or Sea Eagle, once numerous in the Highlands and northern 

 parts of Scotland, as well as in Ireland, and known in former days to nest in 

 England, seems to have disappeared altogether as a resident species except in the 

 Outer Hebrides. Until recently it bred in the Shetlands, but according to Bird 

 Notes mid News published this spring (1915), by the Royal Society for the Protec- 

 tion of Birds, the last remaining bird there is one very old solitary female, who 

 still haunts the old nesting-place, "but when last seen was flying out to sea 

 mobbed by Carrion-Crows." 



In autumn and winter individuals — mostly immature birds — visit us from 

 abroad, which are often mistaken for Golden Eagles. It has a wide range over 

 Northern Europe and Asia, and nests as far south as Albania. 



The eyrie is built on a high cliff overlooking the sea, or inland on a rocky 

 ledge, and sometimes on a tree, or even on the ground. The materials of the nest 

 are similar to those used by the Golden Eagle, and the two eggs, pure white in 

 colour, are laid in March or April. 



In character it is less bold than the last-mentioned bird, and feeds largely 

 on fish and carrion along the shore, where its loud yelping cry could be heard in 

 former days. Rabbits are also a favourite food, and shepherds used to suffer from 

 its depredations in lambing time. 



The sexes are alike in colour, but the young differs from the adult by having 

 a dark tail. 



52 



