WHISTLING EAGLE. 
claws, a habit which has earned it the name of ‘ Eish Hawk,’ bestowed 
upon it by those that live along the river : this habit must be regarded 
as an interesting uistance of reversion.” Other notes by other observers 
aU serve to emphasize this bird’s habits and nesting habits^ but not much 
novelty is expressed. The whistling habit is variously construed, one writer 
recording it from a district where another observer failed to remark it, 
and so on. 
There is much variation in the plumage without any distinct shades 
being determined by geographical conditions, and I am therefore recognising 
no subspecies at the present time. This is mainly due to the ignorance of 
the plumage-changes and consequent inability to fix accurately the perfectly 
adult birds, especially as birds breed in immature plumage. 
I separated in the Austral Avian Record, Vol. I., p. 88, 1912, the birds 
from North-west Australia and Northern Territory under the name Haliastur 
sphenurus territori, the type being from Mary River, Northern Territory, with 
the diagnosis : “ Differs from H. s. sphenurus in being darker generally ; it 
it also smaller.” 
Though most Western birds are darker, and there is on the average a 
slight difference in measurement, I temporarily reject this form, as the shade 
is too slight for necessity. 
As previously noted, the species is practically confined to Australia, only 
ranging to New Guinea and New Caledonia, while not a native of Tasmania. 
Though I have not recognised any subspecies in Australia, I propose to name 
the New Caledonian race 
Haliastur sphenurus sarasini, subsp. nov. 
I find the birds from this locality are lighter and smaller than typical 
birds, and I now observe that North has recorded : “ Specimens from New 
Caledonia are often of a much lighter colour, especially on the upper portion 
of the head, neck and scapulars,” while Sarasin has also noted the difference 
in coloration and smaller size. 
VOL. V. 
