214 
THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
Nest. — A large structure, composed of sticks, and lined with leaves ; 
generally placed in a tree at various heights from the ground. Old nests 
of other species of Hawks are also used. 
Eggs. — Two or three, white or buff y- white, boldly spotted with 
reddish-brown and lavender markings. Breeding-season : August to 
November. 
6. Red-backed Sea Eagle Haliastur Indus Boddaert 
Hal-i-as -tur — Gk, hals, sea; L., astur , goshawk: indus — Indian. 
Distribution . — Northern Australia and eastern Australia to as far 
south as the Hunter River (New South Wales) ; also occurs in India, 
Burma to the Philippine Islands, New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. 
Notes. — Also called White-headed Sea Eagle, Rufous-backed Sea 
Eagle, Salmon-hawk, and Rufous-backed Fish-hawk. Usually singly or 
in pairs, frequenting inlets and estuaries and islands lying off the coast, 
but particularly mangrove swamps. Its food consists chiefly of fish, crabs, 
sea-snakes, and cuttle-fish. Its call-note is a curiously modulated 
“Pee-ah-h-h,” the last syllable rather drawn out and uttered in a tremulous 
manner. 
Nest . — A large structure, composed of twigs and sticks; lined with 
fine bark, grass, or leaves, and sometimes with lichen ; occasionally decor- 
ated on the sides with streamers of bleached seaweed. Generally placed 
near the top of a large mangrove tree or a tall tree growing on an island. 
Eggs. — Usually two, dull white or bluish-white, sparingly marked, but 
more so at the larger end, with spots or blotches or with fine streaks and 
wavy lines of chestnut or brown. Breeding-season: April or May to 
September (north) ; August to October (east). 
7. Whistling Eagle Haliastur sphenurus Vieillot 
sphen-ur-us — Gk, sphen, wedge; Gk, lira {our a), tail. 
Distribution. — Australia generally; also occurs in New Guinea and 
New Caledonia. 
Notes. — Also called Whistling Hawk. Usually in pairs, frequenting 
alike coastal and inland districts. Its flight is buoyant and easy; this 
species often soars to a great height, uttering a shrill whistling cry audible 
at a distance of half a mile or more. In the coastal districts it is a great 
scavenger, feeding upon dead fish and offal left by the tides. It also feeds 
on small mammals, birds, lizards, carrion, and the larvae of insects; in 
many districts rabbits form the chief item of its diet. 
Nest . — A large, rather flat structure, composed of sticks, and lined 
with leaves. Generally placed on a horizontal branch of a tall tree. 
Eggs . — Two or three, white or bluish-white, either sparsely spotted 
with lavender markings or with large blotches of reddish-brown. Breeding- 
season : practically throughout the year. 
