EAGLES 
135 
obscurely mottled or barred. The juvenile is similar, but the basal half of the tail is 
largely, or entirely, white. The most distinctive feature for this species, however, is 
the tarsus; it is feathered to the base (Figure 196) of the toes in all plumages, instead of 
being bare as in the Bald (See Figure 200). 
Field Marks. Recognizable as an eagle by its large size; to be confused only with 
the juvenile Bald Eagle. The juvenile Golden shows as a black bird with a prominent 
white spot at the base of the primaries, visible on both upper and lower surfaces in flight. 
The tail is largely white with a broad, black border (Figure 198). The adult is all evenly 
black below (Figure 199). The young Bald Eagle has considerable grey on the under- 
wing surface, becoming more pronounced towards the body, and the tail is either all dark 
or gradually lightens from the tip without showing a pronounced terminal band (See 
Figures 201, 202). 
Nesting. Nests of sticks on ledges of cliffs, occasionally in trees. 
DistribvJLion. Northern part of Northern Hemisphere. In America, across the con- 
tinent, north to the Arctic Ocean, and breeding in Canada irregularly in the wilder 
localities. More common in the western mountains than elsewhere. 
Figure 198 
Golden Eagle (juvenile); scale, T ’ s 
Appearance in flight. 
Figure 199 
Golden Eagle (adult); scale, T l B . 
Appearance in flight. 
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 over the country in late 
