ERKOWIT 
377 
spent interesting- and exciting hours—always with some 
new experience, often with a noble trophy or two. Besides 
the better-known species, there were among the eagles 
shot here, others entirely strange to us. Two in particular 
were of true eagle-build, massive and thick-set, feathered 
to the toes and, both in form and equipment, of the type 
of the golden eagle, though on smaller scale. The following 
description of these eagles I wrote down carefully on the 
spot, immediately after death :— 
Dark Erkowit Eagles. —Far more massive than either 
the tawny or white-footed forest-eagles, both in build and 
colour resembling golden eagles; legs feathered, and very long 
—extending, when in the flesh, beyond tip of tail. Irides 
hazel; feet bright yellow. 
Sex. Weight. Expanse. Remarks. 
No. i. Male. . 4J lb. 62 ins. Tail short, barred, or blotched 
„ 2. Female . 5^ „ 74 „ „ „ „ 
At the British Museum this pair have been identified 
with the Steppe-eagle ( Aquila nipalensis) of southern 
Russia and India, and I will not doubt but that that 
determination may be correct. If it be permissible to 
express a tentative opinion without either offence, or con¬ 
troversial—much less polemical — intent, I suggest that 
the scientific process of diagnosing unknown creatures 
rests upon a somewhat unsatisfying basis. That process 
consists in producing some dozens (or hundreds) of similar 
skins from all parts of the earth, and then fitting the 
new-comer into some niche or other which may appear 
to correspond more or less closely with its own status; 
but without any regard being taken of the life-conditions 
and habits of the living subject. To my mind, these latter 
essentials are of vital import: yet, in the process described, 
they are ignored — indeed in many cases are wholly 
unknown. 1 Presumptively, the verdict may be correct; 
1 It would almost appear a misuse of the term “zoology” to apply it to 
the methods impugned. The mere mechanical function of sorting-out dry 
skins (as though birds or beasts were inanimate things like foreign postage- 
stamps) would more accurately be defined as “ dermatology. 55 
