FAMILY XL 
RAPA CES. 
GENUS U.—FALCG, Linnjsus. 
SUBGENUS I AQUILA, BRISSON. 
3. FALCO FULVUS , LINNAEUS— RING-TAIL EAGLE, WILSON. ^ 
WILSON, PL. LY. FIG. I. EDINBURGH COLLEGE MUSEUM. 
This noble bird, in strength, spirit, and activity, ranks 
among the first of its tribe. It is found, though sparingly 
dispersed, over the whole temperate and arctic regions, 
particularly the latter ; breeding on high precipitous 
rocks, always preferring a mountainous country. In 
its general appearance, it has great resemblance to the 
golden eagle, from which, however, it differs in being 
rather less, as also in the colours and markings of the 
tail, and, as it is said, in being less noisy. When 
young, the colour of the body is considerably lighter, but 
deepens into a blackish brow n as it advances in age. 
The tail feathers of this bird are highly valued by the 
various tribes of American Indians, for ornamenting their 
calumets, or pipes of peach. Several of these pipes, which 
were brought from the remote regions of Louisiana, by 
Captain Lew is, are now deposited in Mr Peale’s Museum, 
each of which has a number of the tail feathers of this 
bird attached to it. The northern, as well as southern 
Indians, seem to follow the like practice, as appears by 
the numerous calumets, formerly belonging to different 
tribes, to be seen in the same magnificent collection. 
Mr Pennant informs us, that the independent Tartars 
* Is the young of the golden eagle. 
