208 



GOLDEN EAGLE. 



Seven Mountains. It was not in the least alarmed at our approach, 

 but alighted on the bough of a fruit tree not fifty yards from the road, 

 where we could distinctly see the same golden tint on its plumage 

 which I had admired in Mr. Perkins's eagle. It did not remain long- 

 on the branch, but skimmed away slowly under the trees, more like a 

 fern owl than an eagle, giving me a much less exalted opinion of the 

 bird of Jove than I had learned from the poets. But when I afterwards 

 saw one sailing majestically in the upper air, above the Lurlei rocks, 

 I could scarcely believe it was the same species of bird I had previously 

 seen prowling about the orchard hedge-rows at Mehlem, and I at once 

 acknowledged the accuracy of our great poet, who describes " the eagle 

 towering in his pride of place." 



" After the inspection," says Selby, " of several specimens, and 

 minute inquiry into those districts of Scotland where eagles abound, 

 it would seem that the white ring, which distinguishes the F. fulvus, 

 is confined to birds of a certain age. During the first year the ring 

 appears well defined, occupying the larger and upper half of the tail ; 

 but at the moult, which takes place subsequent to this age, the line 

 between the white and lower or dark part of the tail becomes inter- 

 rupted, and a few patches of a hair-brown colour make their appearance, 

 advancing upon the white ring. 



" At this age, and under this very state of feather, I had an oppor- 

 tunity of examining two living specimens at Mar Lodge in Aberdeen- 

 shire, which had been taken from the same nest in the preceding year. 

 Each succeeding change of feathers, or moult, adds to the size of the 

 brown patches, till the bird has attained maturity, (that is, its fourth 

 year,) when the whole of the tail appears barred with hair and dark- 

 brown, the roots of the feathers only remaining white ; after which it 

 undergoes no further change. In the rest of their plumage, the dif- 

 ference between the young and adult bird is trifling ; and in other 

 .essential characters, viz., the size and form of the bill, the number of 

 scales upon the feet, and anatomical structure, they appear perfectly 

 similar." * 



The general weight of this species is about twelve pounds ; the length 

 three feet and a half ; breadth eight feet. The bill is of a bluish 

 black ; cere yellow ; irides hazel. 



The whole bird is of a dark brown ; the feathers about the back of 

 the head and neck long and narrow, bordered with tawny ; quill-feathers 

 chocolate brown ; tail deep brown, dashed with ash-colour, and white at 

 the roots ; legs yellow, short, strong, and covered with feathers to 

 the feet, the great characteristic distinction between this and the sea 

 eagle. 



