one by Mr Gould, Maturata; all at elevations varying.from 2000 to 4000 feet. 
About the sane time another specimen was shot by Mr Thurston near Newera 
Ellla, but unfortunately was not preserved. 
HABITS 
This fine eagle frequents the retired recesses and forests of mountainous 
country, above an elevation of 3000 feet or thereabouts, probably not dwel¬ 
ling permanently or breeding below 4000 feet, although it may frequently be 
met with considerably beneath these altitudes when in search of f jod. 
Though bold and courageous In Its disposition as a Raptor, It Is very shy 
and wary of man, rarely coming beneath his notice except when caught in the 
act of making a raid on the poultry yards of the planters, or seizing a 
hare on the mountain patinas. The first named habit has on nearly all occa¬ 
sions led to Its capture of late years In th-e planting districts. 
One of the finest examples above noticed was shot by Mr Nichol after it 
had missed Its mark at a fowl and settled on a tree near his bungalow; and 
Mr Bllgh Informs me that the magnificent example which he shot at Catton 
had its talons covered with the fur of a newly slaughtered hare. 
It Is occasionally seen about Newera Ellla, where the existence of iso¬ 
lated cottages and houses, with their accustomed live stock, is a weignty 
attraction to It; it Is quite powerful enough to be capable of carrying off 
the largest inmate of the poultry yard, and indeed, could make quick work 
with a moderately sized lamb, were such to be found among the possessions olt 
the fortunate owners of the many pretty bungalows which dot the plain of New- 
era Ellla. Its powers of flight and skill in catching game'must be quite 
equal to those of its Himalayan relative, of whom Captain Hutton, as quoted 
by Mr Hume in his “Rough Notes* says, “It is most destructive to pigeons, 
fowls and game\ Mr Thompson also writes of this bird: - “It feeds much on 
pheasants, hares, black partridges, and sometimes on young- deer*. - 
Our bird may now and then be seen perched on the dead trees which stand 
in new coffee plantations, or upon the half leafless ones peculiar to some 
of the higher patinas in the main range. Its flight is similar to that oft 
the smaller low country bird; and I have seen it quietly beating round the 
edges of the woods on the Horton Plains, probably on the look-out for tne 
large black squirrel (Sciurus Tennantl) the *Kaloo Dandoleyna* of tne Cinga¬ 
lese, which animal, I have no doubt, is often preyed upon by it. The note 
f this species is a loud scream, somewhat resembling that of Spizaetus Cey¬ 
lon ens is. 
- - • - • ' ' . ■ * ' L ■ 
Mr Bligh, writing from Haputale where the bird seems to be tolerably com- 
