HAWKS, EAGLES, AND KITES 
301 
Remarks. — This species is to be distinguished from the preceding prin- 
cipally by its much larger bill and differently colored tail and underparts. 
Range. — -W. N. Am. Breeds from s. Wash., sw. Sask., and s. Man., to 
s. Calif., Utah, Colo., and Kans. ; winters from Mont., to L. Calif, and n. 
Mex., and casually e. to Wise, and Ills. 
Nest, in trees or on the ground in rocky places. Eggs , 2-4, “white, or 
buffy white, usually more or less spotted, blotched, or clouded with brown 
or grayish purple (or both), 2*42 x 1*88” (Ridgw.). Date , Ft. Totten, N. D., 
Apl. 12. 
This bird is rarely found east of the Mississippi. Dr. Fisher remarks: 
“The Squirrel Hawk is preeminently a bird of the prairie, and, unlike 
the common Rough-leg, shows little partiality to the vicinity of water, 
though in other respects it closely resembles the latter bird in habits.” 
34&. Aquiia chrysaetos {Linn.). Golden Eagle. Ads. — Back of the 
head and nape pale, buffy ochraceous; basal two-thirds of the tail with 
broken grayish bars; tarsus white, entirely feathered; rest of the plumage 
fuscous-brown; quills fuscous. Im. — Similar, but base of the tail white; tarsus 
and under tail-coverts ochraceous-buff. ' <? L., 30*00-35*00; Ex., 78*00-84*00; 
W., 23*00-24*70; T., 14*00-15*00; Tar., 3*65-3*80. 9 L., 35*00-40*00; Ex., 
84*00-90*00; W., 25*00-27*00; T., 15*00-16*00; Tar., 4*15-4*25 (Ridgw.). 
Range. — N. part of N. Hemisphere. In 
N. A. s. to middle L. Calif., cen. Mex., w. 
Tex., S. D., Man., s. Keewatin, cen. Ont., 
N. H., Maine, and N. S., and in the Alle- 
ghanies to sw. N. C. ; less common e. of 
the Miss. 
Washington, rare W. V. Ossining, A. V. 
Cambridge, 1 record. N. Ohio, rare W. V. 
SE. Minn., P. R. 
Nest, on cliffs, rocky ledges, or in trees. 
Eggs, dull white, obscurely or distinctly 
blotched or speckled with shades of cinna- 
mon-brown, 2*93 x 2*34. Date, San Benito 
Co., Calif., Feb. 19; Gold Hill, Colo., Apl. 3. 
“It seems to be nowhere a common 
species in the East, but it is much more 
numerous in the mountainous parts of 
the far West. It is confined chiefly to 
the mountains and more northern lati- 
tudes, where it breeds. It is able to 
endure intense cold, and sometimes re- 
mains far north in winter. In fact, its movements at that season 
are more in the form of wandering for food than regular migration to 
the south. 
“The food consists mainly of mammals and birds, of which sper- 
mophiles, rabbits, fawns, lambs, turkeys, grouse, waterfowl, and other 
large birds form the principal part, though offal and carrion are some- 
times taken. . . . Of 6 stomachs examined, 1 contained feathers; 2, 
mammals; 2, carrion; and 1 was empty” (Fisher) . 
In view of the ever-recurring story of Golden Eagles bearing away 
children, it is well to say that Cameron shows that six pounds is about 
the greatest weight a Golden Eagle can carry while on the wing. 
