AQUILA BELLICOSA. 
point, the hook of upper mandible greatly lengthened, and the festoon on the 
cutting edge strongly developed. Wings long and pointed, and when folded 
reach to within about two inches of the tip of the tail ; the third and fourth 
quill feathers equal and longest ; the second and fifth slightly shorter ; the 
fiist considerably shorter. Toes with a few transverse plates superiorly behind 
the base of the claws ; elsewhere covered with small, more or less circular 
scales. Claws very strong, much curved and pointed, particularly those of the 
middle and hinder toes ; these are also grooved internally. Tail, fan-shaped. 
DIMENSIONS. 
Inches. Lines. 
Length from the point of the bill to 
the tip of the tail 36 6 
of the bill from the gape 2 9 
of the wings when folded 24 6 
of the tail 14 0 
of the tarsus 5 0 
We have never met a male bird of 
sented in the plate, yet we have res 
changes ; we have seen one in which 
were still perceptible on the belly. 
Inches. Lines. 
Length of the outer toe 1 n 
of the inner toe 1 n 
of the middle toe 2 11 
of the hinder toe 1 7 
of the middle claw 2 1 
of the hinder claw 2 9 
e age in which the female is repre- 
n to believe both undergo the same 
faint indications of brown markings 
The plumage of the specimen figured, we are inclined to believe, is that of a bird of the 
second year, and that had it lived till after another moulting period, the whole of the under 
parts, behind the breast, with the exception of the legs, would have been a uniform white 
colour, or, m other words, it would have exhibited the garb which immediately precedes that 
of maturity, and which has been described and represented by Levaillant* Small antelopes, 
hares, and gallinaceous birds, constitute the common food of this eagle, and after capturing 
them, it carries them away in its powerful talons, either to its nest or to some convenient situation 
where it can in safety consume them. In seeking its prey, it flies almost constantly in circles, 
and generally at a very great height ; yet the distance to which it ascends does not appear to 
prove disadvantageous to it, as it readily detects the smallest of the quadrupeds upon which 
it feeds, even from the great elevation to which it ascends. On discovering its prey it instantly 
descends, and advances to the object of its pursuit with a rapidity and a noise which excites 
surprise, though its approach may not have been unobserved. 
* Oiseaux d’Afrique. vol, i. plate 1. 
