PLATE XLVI. 



GENUS HIERAETUS (Kaupj. 



^~^NLY one bird of this form has been found in Australia. 



HIERAETUS M0RPHN01DES (Kaup). 



LITTLE EAGLE. 



rilHE interior of Australia is inhabited, though not to a large extent, by the present species, which 

 represents here the Hieraetus Pennatus of Europe. 



It feeds on every kind of carrion, and also on the smaller species of mammalia. 



During the season of incubation, a .single egg is laid in a large nest, which is built on a horizontal 

 branch of a high tree. The colour is greyish-white, blotched with brown and sometimes pale purple. 

 The length is two and one-sixth inches and the breadth one and three-quarter inch. 



The head, neck, under surface, and thighs are mottled white and rufous; wing-coverts, 

 brownish-grey ; back and wings, blackish-brown ; space round the eye, under tail-coverts, and tail, 

 brownish -grey, the tail barred with brown ; irides, reddish-brown ; bill, black ; feet, yellow. 



Habitat : Interior of Australia. 



