S12 



ON SOME SPECIES OF THE 



few pale brown feathers on the angle of the shool- 

 der. Tail perfectly white for two-thirds of its 

 length, and black at the extremity. Vent- fea- 

 thers, and under tail-coverts, brown and white in- 

 termixed. Feet yellow ; claws black. On the 

 whole, the Ring-tailed Eagle is much darker, and 

 more uniform in its plumage than the Golden 

 Eagle, and the broad white band on the tail, is a 

 distinguishing character, and which, according to 

 Pennant^ it maintains through every stage of 

 life, and in all countries where it is found. The 

 colour of the irides is also different ; but this cha- 

 racter being subject to change, cannot be insisted 

 on as a specific distinction. 



Besides these particulars, certain general consi- 

 derations strengthen the belief of their being dis- 

 tinct. 



In Britain, the Golden Eagle has always been 

 very rare ; yet, amongst the Western Isles, and 

 Highlands of Scotland, " as I have myself had an 

 opportunity of observing, the Ring-tailed Eagle 

 is not uncommon, being well known under the 

 name of Black Eagle. I never understood, that 

 in France, Germany, or Switzerland, the Golden 

 Eagle was abundant, yet the species about to be 

 confounded with it, is called VAigle commun by 

 BuFFON, and the other French naturalists of the 

 last century. 



Colonel Montagu, whose accuracy in the dis- 

 crimination of specific character, no one will feci 



