25 
liquor is rather salt, and of a light blue 
colour ; it continues to flow as long as the 
repast of the Eagle continues. The ejection 
of this fluid is most probably produced by 
the compression of the glands which contain 
it : its use is not known ; but it is likely that 
it mixes with the aliments to soften them and 
facilitate digestion." 
As the birds of this genus (in a state of 
captivity) are seldom observed to drink, 
future observations may prove the above not 
to be peculiar to the Ring-tailed Eagle, but 
common to the whole tribe. 
D 
