201 
Distribution. Northern part of Northern Hemisphere. In America, across the con- 
tinent, north to the Arctic ocean, and breeding in Canada irregularly in the more retired 
localities. More common in the western mountains than elsewhere. 
In summer, the Golden Eagle is a bird of the mountains, as the Bald 
is of the coast and large waters, but it spreads out on the prairies commonly 
in late autumn and winter. It is a far more spirited and noble bird than 
the more common Bald Eagle, being a less habitual carrion feeder than that 
species, and capturing more of its prey by strength and pursuit. 
Figure 223 
Golden Eagle (juvenile); scale, -fa. 
Appearance in flight. 
Figure 224 
Golden Eagle, (adult); scale, 
Appearance in flight. 
Except in the mountains of British Columbia, or the prairies in autumn, 
the Golden Eagle is a rare sight in Canada, and the majority of the popular 
reports of the species are based on the juvenile Bald Eagle. Its principal 
food is the big mountain marmot, but many a foolish Blue Grouse, nesting 
out on the bare mountain shoulders, is picked up by it, and its attacks on 
the lambs of mountain sheep, or the kids of the mountain goat, are not few 
