THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 



5 



white ; one is recorded as having been killed 

 in Sutherlandshire, and another, probably 

 from the same nest, was seen at the same 

 time. Meyer records a variety which was in 

 the collection of the Zoological Society. It 

 had the base of all the feathers azure blue, 

 which gave to the bird a very peculiar tint, 

 being more conspicuous when it raised its 

 feathers as in anger. This specimen, Mr. 

 Bond informs us, is now in the Norwich 

 Museum. 



Note. — The note is described as a harsh 

 and loud scream, uttered many times in suc- 

 cession, like the words — Kooluk, nlook. 



Flight.— The flight of the white-tailed 

 eagle is somewhat heavy, Hying along under 

 the edge of some high sea cliff, and keeping a 

 sharp look out for its prey. When travelling 

 from one place to another its wings flap with 

 a regular beat, while at other times it will 

 ascend to a prodigious height, and soar in 

 circles, two eagles not unfrequently perform- 

 ing their evolutions in company, and engaging 

 in play or combat while at this great height. 

 This bird very seldom alights on level ground, 

 and when it does so it has some difficulty in 

 rising again, flapping along the ground for 

 some distance before it can acquire sufficient 

 impetus to raise itself from the surface. 



Food. — In its food this bird seems to ap- 

 proach somewhat to the Osprey, for fish, 

 which it captures for itself, forms a moderate 

 portion of its diet. Some writers state that 

 it will not unfrequently attack the Osprey, 

 and rob it of its acquired prey, and that 

 sometimes the latter, in places where it is 

 common, will unite to attack and drive away 

 the larger intruder. Occasionally a white- 

 eagle will seize a fish too large for it to lift 

 from the water, and in such a case the bird 

 will spread its wings; and allow the wind to 

 blow it with its prey to the shore. If, how- 

 ever, the wind is blowing off shore the bird 

 is sometimes drowned, as it cannot liberate 

 its claws. Other birds of prey have done the 

 same. A vulture has been observed to do a 

 similar thing on the body of a dead Indian on 



a river near Calcutta, Mr. Bond thinks this 

 may be an accidental occurrence, and not an 

 acquired habit. The white-tailed eagle will 

 also prey upon sea birds, guillemots, &c, as 

 well as on land animals. It will also devour 

 carrion, and gorge itself after the manner of 

 the vultures, when it will sit upon a carcase, 

 or something adjoining, and commence with 

 drooping wings, after the manner of these 

 birds. In the Hebrides, and other portions 

 of Scotland, this bird in former years was 

 very troublesome on account of the destruc- 

 tion it caused to sheep and other farm stock, 

 and rewards were accordingly offered for its 

 destruction. In confinement it may be fed 

 upon flesh meat and fish, and should have 

 plenty of room, and a pool of water. 



Habitat. — This bird is more often met 

 with than the Golden Eagle, frequently occur- 

 ring along the northern shores of Scotland, the 

 outer islands, and the north of Ireland. It is 

 confined to the rocky parts of the coast, and 

 immature birds are sometimes met with at 

 such places as Flambro' Head, the Cornwall 

 coast, or the rabbit warrens of Norfolk and 

 Suffolk. In fact immature birds have oc- 

 curred in almost every southern county of 

 England. Abroad it is found in many parts 

 of Europe, more commonly in the north, 

 especially in Iceland and northern Russia. 

 This species is also met with in Greenland, 

 Spain, Sicily, Greece, in the Alutian Islands, 

 Japan, and Manchuria. It breeds in Albania 

 and in Egypt. 



The Nest is large, and very roughly put 

 together, being composed of sticks, seaweed, 

 or heather. A slight depression is made in 

 the centre, which is covered with some softer 

 material, such as grass, wool, or feathers. It 

 is generally placed on the ledge of a cliff, 

 facing the sea, but sometimes in a situation 

 near some inland lake. Sometimes the same 

 site is used several years in succession. 



Bg-gS. — Two eggs are laid, sometimes only 

 one. In color they are white, or greyish- 

 white, with or without a few rust-colored 

 stains. Sometimes the spots are more 



