EAGLES. 
225 
while the feet are yellow, with black claws. I 11 young birds, as shown in the 
woodcut on next page, the whole of the root of the tail is whitish or pure white, 
becoming gradually mottled with grey and brown towards the middle, and only 
the terminal third of the feathers is nearly black. The feathers on the back of the 
neck are thus generally less rufous, the general colour of the plumage of the body 
and wings is darker and more uniform, and the primary quills, save the first three, 
have much white at their roots. In this state the bird is termed a “ ring-tail.” 
There is, however, a great amount of individual variation in the colouring of golden 
eagles. For instance, some old birds are almost uniformly dark brown, and others 
golden-brown, while in some the upper-parts are blackish, and the lower surface 
golden-brown. In others, again, the white at the base of the primary quills is 
retained, and in some cases the quills are banded. Very rarely white individuals 
have been observed. In the Old World the range of the golden eagle embraces 
the whole of Europe and Northern Asia, extending southwards into Northern 
China and the Himalaya, while a few individuals straggle into Peninsular 
India. The bird is common in Palestine during the winter, and is more rarely met 
with in Arabia, Egypt, and Abyssinia, while it breeds in Algeria. It is now 
definitely settled that the so-called Canadian eagle of North America is identical 
with the Old World species; its range extending from Alaska to California and 
Mexico. The young of the American race are peculiarly light-coloured in the 
region of the head and neck; and many American specimens attain a very large 
size, even up to 41 inches. Dr. Sharpe states, however, that nearly equally large 
examples have been obtained from Northern India. In the United Kingdom the 
golden eagle still holds its own to a limited extent in the Scottish Islands; and 
probably also breeds in some of the wilder mountainous districts of Ireland. 
h Generally a rock-haunting and cleft-nesting bird, in many parts 
of Lapland, Siberia, and the North American prairies, the golden 
eagle frequents more open districts, where it is compelled to nest either in trees or 
on the steep clay banks of rivers and streams. Its powerful build and strong 
rapid flight render it more than a match for any animal of its size; and its food 
consequently comprises many of the larger kinds of game, as well as lambs. In 
Europe these eagles prey largely upon fawns, hares, rabbits, and the various kinds 
of feathered game; and are consequently formidable enemies to the game-preserver. 
One has been known to carry off a wounded grouse from in front of the guns of the 
sportsmen; while another is recorded to have picked up a hare running before 
hounds. In pursuing hares and rabbits, two eagles will at times combine their 
efforts in the chase. An Irish peasant reported to the author of Wild Sports of the 
West, that, in coursing hares, “ one bird was the active follower, while another 
remained in reserve at a distance of forty or fifty yards. If the hare, by a sudden 
turn, freed herself from her most pressing enemy, the second bird instantly took 
up the chase, and thus prevented the victim from having a moment’s respite.’’ 
That such a sporting bird can deign to feed on carrion, seems surprising; neverthe¬ 
less the golden eagle will not only eat such garbage when pressed by hunger, but 
actually seems to prefer it; and it is owing to this unsavoury taste that these birds 
are so easily approached and killed. In America the golden eagle preys on marmots, 
prairie-marmots, wood-rats, squirrels, and smaller rodents, as well as grouse, geese, 
vol. iv.—15 
