172 
GOLDEN EAGLE. 
these twelve or fifteen years, that modern ornitho- 
logistswerereally convineedof thejeverse and ven- 
tured to unite the various names as synonymous. 
In a wild state, the plumage attains its adult con- 
dition nearly by the third year, though the colours 
of the base of the tail darken considerably after 
that. In confinement, it often does not take place 
fully until the fourth or fifth year, and a female 
which we kept from the nest for six years, had 
the base of the tail feathers in the intervals be- 
tween the dark bars remarkably pure. 
The colours of the adult birds are generally a 
deep and rich umber brown, glossed with purple 
on the back and wings ; on the hind head and back 
of the neck, the feathers are of a hackled or lan- 
ceolate form, pale orange brown, occasionally 
edged with a paler tint, and when shone upon by 
the sun or a strong light, have a brilliant, almost 
golden appearance. The fronts of the thighs, 
shoulders, and tarsi, are of the same pale orange 
brown colour. The quills are blackish brown, 
nearly black, white towards the base on the inner 
webs, and clouded with grayish black. The 
secondaries are clouded with hair brown, brocoli 
brown, and umber brown. The tail, with the 
exception of the centre feathers, is nearly 
square; these are narrowed towards the point, 
and exceed the others in length, a" form which 
