THE BOLD EAGLE. 
31 
The Imperial Eagle is seldom seen sweeping over the plains, as it is a forest-loving bird, 
preferring the densest woods to the open country. As far as is known, it never builds its nest 
on the rocks, but always chooses a spreading and lofty tree for that purpose. In habits 
it resembles the preceding species, and in disposition is fierce and destructive. 'No specimen 
of this bird has yet been taken in England, although it is not at all uncommon in the warmer 
parts of Europe. 
Australia possesses a fine example of the aquiline birds in the Bold Eagle, so called 
from the extreme audacity which it displayed on first coming in contact with mankind. 
IMPERIAL EAGLE , — Aquila mogilrdk. 
This handsome bird is found in the whole of Southern Australia and Yan Diemen’s Land, 
but Mr. Gould believes that it does not inhabit the intertropical regions. The color of the 
Bold Eagle is a blackish-brown, becoming paler on the edges of the wings. The back of the 
neck takes a decided reddish hue, which forms a very conspicuous charcteristic in the coloring 
of the plumage. When young, the edge of each feather is tinged with red, and the tail is 
slightly barred. The eyes of this bird are hazel, and the beak is yellowish except at the tip, 
which is black. 
The food of this bird consists naturally of kangaroos, bustards, and other beasts and birds 
of its own country. Since sheep have been so plentifully bred in Australia, the Bold Eagle 
has derived considerable advantage from the enterprise of the agriculturists, and has become a 
perfect pest to the shepherds, from its fondness for mutton. In consequence of its marauding 
propensities, it is hunted and persecuted in every way by the colonists, but without much 
apparent result, as the bird is only driven farther inland, and seems in a fair way to hold its 
