OF BIRDS. 
m 
white moss interwoven with long grass, and the interior 
is comfortably lined with wool. It is also worthy of re- 
mark, that instead of driving out their young, like other 
birds of prey, to shift for themselves, they keep them 
with care, and even when adult they do not forsake them, 
but the whole brood live in one family together, till on 
the returning season of courtship they separate, each to 
establish a little household of its own. 
Golden Eagle. (Aquila Chryscetas . PI. 24.) The 
golden eagle, which is one of the largest of this noble 
family, is about three feet in length, and the extent of its 
wings is seven feet four inches. The head and neck are" 
clothed with narrow pointed feathers, of a deep brown 
colour, bordered with tawny: the whole body also is of 
a dark brown, the back being finely clouded with a deeper 
shade of the same: the tail is brown, irregularly barred 
with an obscure ash colour. The beak is of a deep blue, 
and the eye of a hazel colour: The legs are yellow, 
strong, and feathered to the very feet; and the toes are 
armed with formidable claws. 
This fierce animal may be considered among birds as 
the lion among quadrupeds: and in many respects they 
exhibit a strong similitude. Equally magnanimous, they 
contemn petty plunder, and only pursue animals worthy 
their conquest: the eagle also disdains to share the plun- 
der of another bird, and whatever may be the calls of 
hunger, he never stoops to carrion, but leaves it for 
other animals more rapacious and less delicate than him- 
self. Nor does the similitude of these creatures stop 
here: they have both sparkling eyes, and nearly of the 
same colour; their claws are of the same form: their 
breath equally strong, and their cry alike vociferous and 
terrifying. 
The nest of this bird is usually built in the most in- 
accessible cliff of a rock, and generally shielded from 
the weather by some jutting crag that hangs over it. 
The period of incubation is said to be thirty days: and 
when the young are hatched, both the male and female 
exert all their industry to provide for their wants. 
In the rear of this terrible bird might be considered 
