CLASS II. AYES: 
ORDEE 1. RAPTORES. 
37 
THE HAEPT EAGLE. 
Genus NEOPUS : JVeopus, includes tlie Malay Eagle, JV. Malayensis, of a dull brown color, 
and feeding on reptiles, birds, and insects. It is common in the Malay peninsula and the vi- 
cinity. 
Genus SPIZAETUS : Spizaetus. — These birds resemble the eagle-hawks ; the S. uruhitinga is 
found in Guiana and Brazil ; it is twenty -five inches long,' and lives in mountainous districts, and 
devours small quadrupeds, wounded birds, and fish. It is easily domesticated so far as to come 
to its cage to be fed, after having made its tour in the forests. 
The Crested Spizaetus or Goshawk, S. cristatus or S. ornatus, greatly resembles the harpy 
eagle, but is of smaller size. Under this genus the British Museum Catalogue includes also the 
following: the Martial Eagle, ^S'. hellicosus ; the Occipital Eagle, S. occipitalis; the Tyrant 
Eagle, S. tyrannus ; the Crested Indian Eagle, S. cirrhatus ; the Crested Bornean Eagle, 
S. Borneonensis ; and the Black and White Eagle, C. melanoleucus. 
Genus HARPYIA : Harpyia. — This includes a single species, the Harpy Eagle — the Aigle de- 
structeur of Sonnini ; A, coronada of the Spanish of South America — H. thrasaetus. It is of the 
size, power, and fierceness of the true eagles. It has a crest of numerous broad, black feathers on 
the back part of the head, which is raised by excitement and depressed in tranquillity. The back 
and wings are brownish-black, each feather terminating in a narrow streak of lighter shade ; the 
under surface is pure white ; its wings are short, its legs and talons robust, its general aspect se- 
vere and savage, with something of the gloomy expression of the owl. It inhabits Mexico and 
the northern portions of South America. It preys on sloths, monkeys, fawns, and other quadru- 
peds, and especially the young ones. One of the species, which was being carried to England, 
killed and devoured a king-vulture which was in the same cage. After its arrival a cat was put 
into its cage, upon which it struck it with his foot and instantly broke its back. It has been 
known to break a man's skull by a stroke of its powerful bill. M. D'Orbigny tells of one which, 
