FAMILY II. 
IIAPACES. 
GENUS n. — FALCO, LlNNiUS. 
SUBGZNUS I. AQUJI.Ai BIIISSON. 
3. FAJjCO FUL^US, LIVN^EGS BING-TAIL EAGLE, WILSON.^ 
WILSON, PL. LV. FIG. I. EDINBUBGII COLLEGE MUSEUM. 
This noble bird, iii strengtli, spirit, and activity, rank* 
amoii'p the first of its tribe. It is found, though sjiaringly 
dispersed, over the vi hole temperate and arctic regioiu'i 
particularly the latter ; breeding on high prceipitoU!i 
rocks, always preferring a niomitaiiious (•oiiiitry. 
its general appearance, it has great resemblance to the 
golden eagle, from which, however, it differs in being 
rather less, as also in the colours ami markings of the 
tail, and, as it is said, in being less noisy. Wlif® 
young, the colour of the body is considerably lighter, bu* 
deepens into a blackish brown as it advances in age. 
The tail feathers of this bird ai'e highly valued by th® 
various tribes of American Indians, for ornamenting tliei*^ 
calumets, or pijies of peace. Several of these pipes, whii'l* 
were brought from the remote regions of Louisiana, by 
Captain Lewis, are now deposited in Mr Pealc’s Mnseiiini 
each of which has a number of the tail feathers of this 
bird attached to it. The northern, as well as southern 
Indians, seem to follow the like practice, as appears by 
the numerous calumets, formerly belonging to ditfereuf 
tribes, to be seen in the same raagnificciit collection. 
Mr Pennant informs us, that the independent Tartar* 
* Is the young of the golden eagle. 
