HALILECTUS ALBICILLA. 
GRAY SEA-EAGLE. 
AQUILA ALBICILLA. Bliss. Ora., Tom. 1, p. 427. 
AQUILA OSSIFRAGA. Briss. Ora., Tom. 1, p. 437. 
PALCO OSSLPRAGA. Linn. Syst. Nat., Tom. 1, p. 124. 
PALCO MELANOTUS. Gmel Syst. Nat., Tom. 1, p. 253. 
VULTUR ALBICILLA. Linn. Syst. Nat., Tom. 1, p. 123. 
IIALLETUS GRCENLANDICUS. Brelim. Yog. Deutsch, 1, 16 (1831). 
HALIAETUS ALBICILLA. Cuv. Eegue Anim., eel. 1, p. 315. 
This splendid bird is a native of the cold latitudes, and is fond of dwelling upon the rock-bound coasts, where it builds 
and rears its young on the high, almost inaccessible cliffs overlooking the “ sounding sea.” It is met with in Great Britain, 
Sweden, Russia, Siberia, Iceland, and Greenland, doubtless visiting, from the last-named country, the northern provinces of 
country. 
Ranking among the great Eagles of the world, exceeded in size and power by but few, it nevertheless does not seem to possess the 
energy, courage, and stem independence which characterize some of even its smaller and more defenceless brethren. Its food consists 
principally of fish, but it will also prey upon small quadrupeds and birds, these last being obtained by seizing them in its powerful talons 
as it sweeps over their places of refuge ; and as this great bird partakes somewhat of the Vulture in its habits and disposition, it will 
not disdain to make a meal upon carrion. But this fact should not perhaps be used as a reproach for this Eagle alone, since its noble 
relative, the Golden Eagle (Aquila Chrysaetos), will not hesitate to stoop to a similar banquet. 
The nest is formed of sticks, dried seaweeds, grass, Ac., and is of great size, sometimes five feet in diameter, and is usually placed 
upon the most inaccessible cliffs, although it will also build in the top of some large tree. The female lays two white eggs, and the 
young when first hatched are covered with a white down, giving to them somewhat the appearance of two rolls of cotton as they lie 
in the centre of the nest. They grow very rapidly, and are supplied with food by the parents, even for some time after they have left 
the nest, from which the old birds entice them before they are able to use their wings to any advantage. 
The following account of a visit paid to the eyrie of this bird is published in the “Ootheca Wolleyana,” from the pen of Mr. John 
Wolley : 
“ On the coasts the Sea-Eagle chooses a roomy and generally sheltered ledge of rock. The nest was very slightly made of a little 
grass and fresh heather loosely put together without any sticks; but two or three “ kek ’’-stalks were strewn about outside. There was 
a good thickness of guano-like soil upon the rock, which made much nest unnecessary. Two or three Guillemot’s beaks, the only 
unmanageable part of that bird, were not far off. The eggs were laid two days before, when I went to reconnoitre, and I never shall 
forget the forbearance which a friend who was with me showed, at my request, as he lay gun in hand with the hen eagle in full view 
upon her nest not forty yards below him. Her head was toward the cliff, and concealed from our sight, whilst her broad back and 
white tail, as she stood bending over her nest on the grassy ledge, with the beautiful sandstone rock and the sea beyond, completed a 
picture rarely to be forgotten. 
“ But our ears and the air we breathe give a finish to nature’s pictures which no art can imitate ; and here were the effects of the 
sea, and the heather, and the rocks, the fresh warmth of the northern sun, and the excitement of exercise, while the musical yelping 
of the male eagle came from some stand out of our sight. Add to this the innate feeling of delight connected with the pursuit of wild 
animals, w r hich no philosopher has yet been able to explain further than as a special gift of our Great Maker, and then say whether 
it is not almost blasphemy to call such a scene a picture ! Upon this occasion I made some remark to my friend, when the hen eagle 
showed her clear eye and big yellow beak, her head full of the expression of wild nature and freedom. She gave us a steady glance, 
then sprang upon the rock, and with ‘slow winnowing wing’ — the flight feathers turning upwards at every stroke — was soon out at sea. 
Joined by her mate, she began to sail with him in circles further and further away, till quite out of sight, yelping as long as we 
could hear them, gulls mobbing them all the time. To enjoy the beauties of a wild coast in perfection, let me recommend any 
man to seat himself in an eagle’s nest.” 
Although not at all sociable, yet the young frequently keep together, even when able to take care of themselves, and several 
individuals may be seen flying in company. It is a beautiful sight to witness this bird upon the wing, as it then appears to the 
greatest advantage. Perhaps two or more will commence at the same time to mount into the upper air, and sailing in great circles 
with the wings held nearly motionless — the only movement being the quivering at times of the flight feathers, — crossing each other 
at regular intervals, they gradually ascend. Higher and higher they rise, until they seem to float without motion— their white tails 
shining like molten silver as the bright rays of the sun fall upon them ; — and as we gaze they grow less and less distinct, until 
only a few dark specks in the distance indicate the mighty birds, even these soon vanishing from our view 
its nests, 
Norway, 
our own 
