214 
THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
generally placed in a tree at various heights from the ground. Old 
nests of other species of Hawks are also used. 
eggs. Two or three, white or buffy-white, boldly spotted with 
reddish-brown and lavender markings. Breeding-season: August to 
November. 
6. Red-backed Sea Eagle Haliastur indus Boddaert 
Hal-i-as'-tur— Gk, hals, sea; L., astur, goshawk: indus—Indian 
distribution. Northern Australia and eastern Australia to as far 
south as the Hunter River (New South Wales); also occurs in India, 
Burma to the Philippine Islands, New Guinea, and the Solomon 
Islands. 
notes. Also called White-headed Sea Eagle, Rufous-backed Sea 
Eagle, Salmon-hawk, and Rufous-backed Fish-hawk. Usually singly or 
in pairs, frequenting inlets and estuaries and islands lying oil the coast, 
but particularly mangrove swamps. Its food consists chiefly of fish, 
crabs, sea-snakes, and cuttle-fish. Its call-note is a curiously modulated 
“Pee-ah-h-h”, the last syllable rather drawn out and uttered in a 
tremulous manner. 
nest. A large structure, composed of twigs and sticks; lined with 
fine bark, grass, or leaves, and sometimes with lichen; occasionally 
decorated on the sides with streamers of bleached seaweed. Generally 
placed near the top of a large mangrove tree or a tall tree growing 
on an island. 
eggs. Usually two, dull white or bluish-white, sparingly marked, but 
more so at the larger end, with spots or blotches or with fine streaks 
and wavy lines of chestnut or brown. Breeding-season: April or May 
to September (north); August to October (east). 
7. Whistling Eagle Haliastur sphenurus Vieillot 
sphen-ur'-ns— Gk, sphen, wedge; Gk, ura (otira), tail. 
distribution. Australia generally; also occurs in New Guinea and 
New Caledonia. 
notes. Also called Whistling Hawk. Usually in pairs, frequenting 
alike coastal and inland districts. Its flight is buoyant and easy; this 
species often soars to a great height, uttering a shrill whistling cry 
audible at a distance of half a mile or more. In the coastal districts 
it is a great scavenger, feeding upon dead fish and offal left by the 
tides. It also feeds on small mammals, birds, lizards, carrion, and the 
larvae of insects; in many districts rabbits form the chief item of its 
diet. 
nest. A large, rather flat structure, composed of sticks, and lined 
with leaves. Generally placed on a horizontal branch of a tall tree. 
eggs. Two or three, white or bluish-white, either sparsely spotted 
with lavender markings or with large blotches of reddish-brown. 
Breeding-season: practically throughout the year. 
