GOLDEN EAGLE.
AQUILA CHRYSAËTOS (Linn.).
Falco chrysaetos, Linn. S. 1ST. i. p. 125 (1766).
Falco fulvus, Naum. i. p. 208.
Aquila chrysaetus, Macg. iii. p. 204; Yarr. ed. 4, i. p. 11;
Dresser, v. p. 533.
Aquila chrysaetos, Hewitson, i. p. 8.
Grand Aigle, Aigle dore, French; Stein-Adler, German;
Aguila real, Aguila negra, Aguila serrana, Spanish.
This fine species, owing to the enlightened protection
of a few landed proprietors and lessees of deer-forests,
still breeds in the Highlands of Scotland, and, I believe,
in some of the mountain-ranges of Ireland; but its
numbers have been greatly curtailed by the high price
set upon its eggs by collectors, and the persecution of
game-preservers. It is recorded to have bred formerly
in various parts of England and in North Wales, but
has long ceased to do so, and is now a very rare visitor
to any part of Great Britain south of the border. The
nest is usually situated on a ledge of rock, in some cases
easily accessible, not infrequently in high trees, and the
same site is annually used. The eggs are generally
three in number, but it is seldom that more than two
are hatched. In Scotland, as far as my own experience
goes, the principal food of this Eagle consists of Blue
or Alpine Hares, and Rabbits, very young Lambs, and
carrion.
Some gamekeepers declare that the Eagles are very
destructive to Grouse; but I only once, in Scotland, saw
one of this species in actual pursuit of any bird, in this
case a Ptarmigan was the object.
The drawing for the accompanying Plate was taken
in 1888 from a pair of birds in the aviary at Lilford,
which were taken from a nest in Scotland in 1877, and
laid eggs for the first time in the year first mentioned. Litho. W. Greve, Berlin
G O L D E N E A G L E .
Aquila chrysaëtus (Linn.)