224 
DIURNAL BIRDS OF PREY. 
some tinge of brown. Inferior in courage to the falcons, the eagles are much 
superior in this respect to the kites and buzzards; and, while the majority kill 
their own prey, few will refuse to eat the carcases of such animals as they may 
lind dead, and some feed greedily on carrion. The range of the genus includes 
the whole of Europe and Africa, and the greater part of Asia, but stops short of 
the Malayan region and does not extend to Australia. In America eagles are found 
as far south as Mexico. 
From its large size and magnificent appearance, the golden eagle 
Golden Eagle, ^quila chrysaetus ) has by almost universal assent been regarded 
as the “ king of birds,” although the tendency of modern writers has been rather 
to detract from the boldness and fierceness of its character, and one at least has 
GOLDEN EAGLE’S EYRIE. 
even gone so far as to suggest the accusation of downright cowardice. All, how¬ 
ever, who have enjoyed (as the writer has) the opportunity of seeing the flight 
of this splendid bird, are in full accord as to its power and majestic character. 
The female of the golden eagle usually attains a length of 35J inches, while 
the male is some 3 inches less. In the fully adult bird, the pointed feathers 
covering the head and neck are rufous brown, tending to tawny on the back of 
the neck; while the general colour of the plumage of the upper-parts is blackish 
brown, with light margins to the feathers of the middle of the back and the wing- 
coverts. The primary quills are nearly black ; the feathers of the abdomen, thighs, 
and legs, pale brown; and the remainder of the under-parts blackish brown. The 
tail is blackish at the tip and browner towards the root, where it is mottled with 
ashy grey, while it is crossed near the middle with one or two greyish bands The 
beak is bluish horn-colour, darkening at the tip; the cere yellow; the iris hazel; 
