165 
FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. 
GENUS HALI^EETUS. 
352. Haliseetus leucocephalus {Linn.). Bald Eagle. 
Tarsus feathered only half way down, middle and outer toes without 
web ; wing pointed, secondaries much shorter 
than primaries; tail less than two thirds as 
long as wing, rounded. Adults. — Head, 
neck, tail, and tailcoverts snowy white ; rest 
of plumage blackish or dark brownish, 
feathers edged with brown. Young: first 
year wholly black except for white bases of 
feathers showing through; second or third 
year under parts mixed black and white ; 
head and neck black, rest of upper parts 
mixed gray, brown, black, and white. Male : 
length 30-35, extent about 7 feet, wing 
20.00-25.90, tail 11.00-15.25, hill 1.85-2.25. 
Female: length 34-43, extent about 7-8 feet, 
wing 23.50-28.00, tail 12.50-16.00, hill 1.90- 
2.35. 
Distribution. — Nearly the whole of North 
America, from northern Mexico to Alaska. 
Breeds in suitable localities throughout its 
range. 
Nest. — A bulky mass of sticks, seaweed, 
rushes, turf, vines, or plant stalks, on cliffs 
or in tall trees. Eggs : usually 2, white. 
Food. — Mainly fish, but also squirrels, rabbits, prairie dogs, lambs, 
carrion, and waterfowl. 
The bald eagle was unfortunately selected as our national emblem 
instead of the nobler golden eagle, as it is at times both a scavenger 
and a robber. It lives largely on fish, diving for them and taking 
them itself, stealing them from a fish hawk, or, in company with 
ravens and vultures, feeding on dead fish cast up by the waves along 
river banks. 
It must be acknowledged, however, that the eagles show great 
skill in their piratical exploits and courage in defense of their nests, 
and that they have a noble, commanding bearing which is not alto¬ 
gether belied by their daily deeds. 
GENUS FALCO. 
General Characters. — Cutting edge of upper mandible with a tooth-like 
projection separated by notch from hooked tip ; nostril small, circular, 
with a conspicuous bony tubercle ; wings long and pointed. 
KEY TO ADULTS. 
1. One primary with inner web cut out. 
2. Back of tarsus almost covered by feathers from sides. 
rusticolus, p. 166. 
mexicanus, p. 166. 
Fig. 234. 
2'. Back of tarsus broadly hare. 
3. Grayish brown above • . 
