PLATE XLV. 



GENUS POLIOAETUS (Kaup). 



^~^NE species of this genus inhabits Australia. 



POLIOAETUS LEUCOGASTEIv. 



WIIITE-BELLIED SEA EAGLE. 



rilHE whole of the coast-line of Australia, as well as the islands adjacent, constitute the habitat of this 

 bird, one of the finest of all the Eagle tribe. 



Notwithstanding its size, it seldom captures living prey, but feeds almost entirely on the fish which 

 are left on the beach at low tide. It sometimes, however, captures Petrels and other marine birds. 



It is very bold and fearless in disposition, and although it is almost entirely extirpated where 

 civilisation has set her seal, it may sometimes, though rarely, be seen in the neighbourhood of Sydney 

 and other seaport towns. 



The top of a high tree, or, where there are none such, the surface of a large rock, is usually 

 chosen as the site for the nest, which is constructed of sticks. The eggs, two in number, are in length 

 two and three-quarter inches and in breadth one and a-quarter inch. They are buffy- white, spotted 

 with reddish-brown. 



The sexes do not differ in plumage. 



The head, neck, and abdomen are light brownish-buff; chest, white ; primaries and base of the tail, 

 blackish-brown ; tip of the tail, light brown ; wings and back, blackish-brown, each feather margined 

 with grey ; irides, red ; bill, grey ; legs and feet, yellowish-brown. 



Habitats : The Australian coast, and adjacent islands. 



