THE EAGLES (_Aquilæ_) are distinguishable by the following
characteristics: their body is stoutly and compactly built, their head
is of moderate size and entirely covered with feathers, and the beak,
which is straight to a considerable distance from its base, terminates
in a curve or hook; the upper mandible is without teeth, but is slightly
waved at its sides; the cere is bare, the tarsi are of moderate size,
strong, and more or less covered with feathers, extending in some cases
down to the toes; these latter are very powerful, often of great length,
and armed with large, much curved, and sharply pointed talons. The
wings of some species reach as far as the end of the tail, in others no
farther than its root; in all they are rounded at the tip, the fourth
and fifth quills being longer than the rest; the tail is long, broad,
and either rounded or straight at its extremity. The plumage consists of
large and usually pointed feathers, rich in texture, often very soft, but
occasionally coarse and harsh. One of the distinguishing features in the
plumage of the Eagle is that the feathers on the back of the head and
nape are either pointed or considerably prolonged. The eye is large and
fiery, and the eyebrows very distinctly marked, thus giving an expression
of fierceness to the face.
A glance at different members of the Eagle tribe will at once convince us
that they do not all belong to the same country or climate. It is true
that they are dispersed over the surface of the whole earth, but each
species has its appointed district; all, however, avoid the abodes of
man, and make their nests in some unfrequented spot. Mountains, forests,
sea-coasts, or the banks of lakes or rivers have each their appointed
forms, while some species roam at large over the open plains of the
countries in which they live. Such members of the family as inhabit the
more northern portions of the globe migrate as winter approaches, and
pass their lives in sweeping from land to land, except at such times as
they are busied with the cares of incubation. In their habits all are
unsocial, keeping company rarely even with individuals of their own race,
except during their winter journeyings, and suffering no intruder to
approach the spot selected as a breeding-place; so strong is this dislike
to society that even when several Eagles are attracted by the same prey
the companionship is merely in appearance, each bird coming and going
without any reference to the movements of the rest. Notwithstanding this
unwillingness to join company with others, even of their own species,
they are much attached to their mates, each pair living in close
companionship throughout their whole lives, and frequently permitting
smaller birds to make their nests in close proximity, either regarding
them as entirely beneath their notice, or, perhaps, feeling that such
despicable morsels are not worth the long and troublesome chase which
their pursuit would necessitate. To some members of the Eagle family the
name of Hawk Eagles has been assigned, on account of their very decided
resemblance to the Hawk, not merely in appearance, but in disposition.
Though unable to cleave the air with the rapidity of the Falcon, the
flight of an Eagle is extremely imposing, as it rises with slow and
majestic strokes of its large wings, steering its course by the aid of
its tail, or hovers for minutes at a time without any apparent effort;
when descending to seize its prey its movements are somewhat more rapid,
but are not to be compared with the stoop of the Hawk. While upon the
ground nothing can be more clumsy than the mode of progression employed
by these large birds; they hop, or rather jump, with a most peculiar
step, at the same time helping themselves along with their wings; far
different is their appearance when they are seen perched with body erect
upon some tree, from whence they gaze upon the world beneath with a calm
dignity worthy of the royalty not unfrequently assigned to them. The
sight of the Eagle is more highly developed than any other sense; it
also hears well, and exhibits a marked dislike to any sharp sound. Many
wonderful tales have been circulated as to the power of appreciating
odours possessed by these birds, but for our own part we consider
these accounts as much exaggerated. All the members of the family are
intelligent, prudent, in some cases cunning, and they have such an
appreciation of their own strength as to impart an air of nobility to
their demeanour even towards man himself. When in pursuit, Eagles exhibit
great fierceness, and seem to enjoy the full excitement of the chase;
even such large quadrupeds as foxes fall victims to their ferocity, and
the swiftest inhabitants of the air are not safe from their pursuit;
instances are on record in which man himself has had to combat the
attacks of these bold and audacious birds.
The eyries built by the various species of Eagles differ but little in
appearance; all are exceedingly large, broad, and very shallow. They are
formed of boughs, sometimes of considerable thickness, on these are
placed smaller branches, and the interior is then padded with twigs upon
which the leaves have been left, in order to form a warm bed. These nests
are usually constructed upon a tree, or upon some rocky precipice. The
breeding season varies according to the climate; the eggs often but one,
rarely three in number, are incubated by the female alone. Both parents,
however, assist in rearing their progeny, and have been known to fly to
a distance of many miles in search of food for their hungry family. The
nestlings are tended for some time after they are fully fledged.
* * * * *
Foremost among the Eagles three species stand pre-eminent, and have been
celebrated and dreaded from the most ancient times. These form the group
of TRUE EAGLES, and are recognisable by their powerful bodies, large and
well-shaped heads, and broad long wings, which reach to the end of the
tail; in the wings the fourth quill is longer than the rest; the tail
is long, and the legs strong and of moderate height; the beak is large,
the upper mandible curves very decidedly from the cere downwards, and
bulges outwards at its sides; the eyes, which are of great size, lie
partly concealed under the projecting brows; the feet are powerful and of
moderate length, the claws large, curved, and sharp. The plumage is rich
and soft, and its feathers pointed, those at the back of the head and on
the nape being slender and elongated; the tarsi are feathered down to the
toes.
Thus far we have described collectively the three species forming the
family of True Eagles; but, to avoid confusion, we will now speak of the
Tawny, the Golden, and the Imperial Eagles, each under its proper heading.