l^ALCO CHllYSx\ETOS AND V. FULVUS. 4.t9 
mage to which they hiight be subject,— -from the state of 
nestUngs to the attainment of maturity. The result of my 
inquiries and observations has been such as to convince me, 
that no specific distinction exists between the Golden and 
Ring-tailed Eagles, but that the difference arises entirely 
from a difference of phimage proper to the respective ages 
the individuals. In this opioicn, I am also supported 
by the powerful and concurrent testimony of Mons. Tem- 
MINCK, who^ in his Manuel d'Ornitholog'ie, considers the 
Ring-tailed Eagle to be the young of his Aigle Royal, the 
F. chrysaetos of authors. 
My attention was also directed to the anatomical struc- 
ture of the two supposed species, as I considered that a 
strict conformity in this respect would constitute a strong 
argument in favour of their identity. The difficulty of 
procuring subjects, for some time prevented me making 
the comparison I wished ; but I was at length fortunate 
enough to obtain, though at different times, a specimen of 
each kind, and, as far as I can rely upon the accuracy of 
my own observation, or the notes taken at the dissection 
of each, their structure appeared the same. In such out- 
ward essential characters, as are visible to all observers, 
viz. the bill^ legs, scales upon the last phalanges of the 
toes, &c. an exact accordance also exists. 
Another fact that forcibly struck me, was, that ail those 
eagles which I had an opportunity of examining, and which 
had been kept in confinement beyond a certain age, proved 
of the golden or cJiri^saetos species ; although, I was in- 
formed, v/hen young, they had exhibited the white caudal 
band of the Ring-^tailed Eagle {F.Julvus.) 
The progress of this change I have been fortunate 
enough to witness in a bird, which I obtained from Scot- 
land a few years ago. When first procured,, it was about 
fourteen months old, and at that time exactly answered the 
vox. ir. F f 
