276 
EALCO LEUCOCEPHALUS. 
it sometimes measures the same in depth, it bem| 
occupied for a great number of years in succession, 
receiving some augmentation each season. Wb® 
placed iu a naked tree, between the forks of *• '_ 
branches, it is conspicuously seen at a great distance 
The eggs, which are from two to four, more common v 
two or three, are of a dull white colour, and equajv 
rounded at both ends, some of them being occasional™ 
granulated. Incubation lasts for more than three week 8 ' 
but I have not been able to ascertain its precise dur®' 
tion, as I have observed the female ou different oc< j®* 
sions sit for a few days in the nest, before laying f® 
first egg. Of this 1 assured myself by climbing to t® 
nest every day in succession, during her temporaflj 
absence, — a rather perilous undertaking when the bn 
is sitting. 
“ I have seen the young birds when not larger t®® , 
middle sized pullets. At this time, they are covC® 
with a soft, cottony kind of down, their bill aud •‘’k 
appearing disproportionately large. Their first plum 8 ®, 
is of a grayish colour, mixed with brown of diffe r|1 v 
depths of tint; and before the parents drive them ® 
from the nest, they are fully Hedged. I once rang 
three young eagles of this species, when fully fiedg j 
by having the tree on which their nest was, 
down. It caused great trouble to secure them, 
they could fly and scramble much faster than any 0 
our party could run. They, however, gradually bee®’?., 
fatigued, and at length were so exhausted as to on 
no resistance, when we were securing them with cor® 8 ' 
This happened on the border of Lake Pontcbartrain,' 11 * 
month of April. The parents did not think fit to co* ® 
within gun-shot of the tree while the axe was at w’ 0 > 
“ The attachment of the parents to the young is 
great., when the latter arc yet of a small size; 808 s 
ascend to the nest at this time would be danger' 11 ' 
But as the young advance, and, after being able to *® 
wing and provide for themselves, are not disposed 
fly off, the old birds turn them out, and beat them at' ^ 
from them. They return to the nest, however, 
