THE illKG-TAILED AND GOLDEN EAGLES. 435 
The state of opinion at present regarding these birds 
seems to be as follows. There are three theories on the 
subject. 
1*^, The oldest, and probably most general opinion, is 
that of their constituting two separate and distinct kinds, 
hitherto distinguished by the names of the Golden and the 
Ring-tailed Eagles {F. chryscietos and F.fulvus^ Linn.) 
^dly^ There prevailed in France some time ago, and I 
believe still exists in that country and elsewhere, an opinion 
that these birds were not specifically distinct, but were 
merely the adolescent and mature states of one and the 
same species, — the Golden Eagle being considered as the 
young of the Ring-tail, which latter was supposed to repre^ 
sent the plumage of the perfect bird. And, 
%dlyy There also prevailed a belief (now strengthened 
by the concurrence of Mr Selby) similar to that last men- 
tioned, in as far as these birds are considered as specifically 
the same, but dilfering in this, that the Ring-tailed Eagle 
is considered as the young of the Golden Eagle, and not 
as the 'parent of that supposed species. 
Notwithstanding the arguments which have been brought 
forward by Mr Selby and other competent judges, I still 
continue to adhere to the first opinion, that which advocates 
the distinction of the species. It w^ll not of course be in- 
sisted upon that I should assign particular proofs in sup- 
port of my belief in this specific distinction, because the 
opinion which I maintain is that which has been supported 
by the whole mass of ornithological authorities from the 
most remote periods of the science downwards, till within 
these last few years, and therefore the onus probandi may 
fairly be supposed to fall on the other parties. Leaving, 
therefore, for the present, the old opinion to stand its 
ground till such time as it be disproved by positive facts, 
