The IMPERIAL EAGLE (_Aquila imperialis_) is considerably smaller than
the preceding, not exceeding two feet and a half to two feet and
three-quarters in length; its breadth across the wings is from six to
six feet and two-thirds, the wing measures from two, to two feet and a
quarter, and the tail from ten, to twelve inches and a half. The female
is of the same size as the male Tawny Eagle. The body of this species is
compact, and the wings so long that they extend beyond the comparatively
short tail. In the adult the plumage is of a dark, somewhat variegated,
brown; the head and nape are reddish yellow, and the shoulders are
ornamented with a white patch; the tail-feathers are grey, striped
with black. The plumage of the young is tawny, marked longitudinally
with dark brown. Both the Golden and Tawny Eagles are found throughout
all such countries of Europe as possess high mountains or extensive
forests, and both are met with in many parts of Asia and North America.
The Imperial Eagle, on the contrary, inhabits the south-eastern portion
of our continent from Hungary to Mongolia; Jerdon tells us that it not
only visits India during its migrations, but breeds there. This last
species frequents open tracts of country, whilst the Tawny and Golden
Eagles prefer rocky districts, the former always building amongst the
mountain fastnesses, and the latter occasionally making her eyrie among
the branches of one of the gigantic trees of the forest. The Imperial
Eagle also makes its nest upon trees, and often at no great distance
from the abodes of man. All these birds have many habits in common; they
commence their pursuit of prey long after the sun rises, and confine
their excursions within the limits of a certain district. Both mates hunt
together, but the possession of some delicate morsel which one or other
refuses to share with its companion is often a cause of strife between
them. The chase lasts till noon, when they retire to rest in some quiet
spot, and remain perched with drooping plumage, but with ever watchful
eye, whilst the work of digestion is going on. When this period of repose
is over they fly in search of water, not only drinking largely, but
bathing in the cooling stream. The afternoon is passed in the same manner
as the morning; and the early part of the evening is spent in soaring
and floating through the air, till darkness has closed around, when
the wary couples quietly retire to their safe and often unapproachable
sleeping-places. The force with which these enormous birds clutch their
prey is so violent that the entrance of a Golden Eagle's claws into the
sides of its victim can be distinctly heard, and its flesh is often
partially devoured before life is extinct.
Many tales are told of Eagles having carried off young children, and we
know instances in which they have attacked man himself. Naumann mentions
an amusing example that came under his own notice, a Tawny Eagle in his
possession having been captured under the following circumstances:--This
rash and hungry bird, he tells us, was tempted to seize upon a fine fat
pig as it ran about its native village; but the pig was so obstinate as
to appear by no means inclined to leave this world quietly, and uttered
such piercing cries as brought a passer-by to its assistance. The
peasant succeeded in dislodging the Eagle, who, however, determined not
to be entirely baffled, pounced upon a cat that was contemplating the
struggle, and flew with pussy to a neighbouring hedge. Exasperated at
this second attack, the man rushed into a cottage, seized a loaded gun,
and returned in the hope of saving the second victim; but no sooner did
the Eagle observe the approach of this disturber of its quiet enjoyment
than it darted upon him and attacked him with such fury that he was with
difficulty saved by the people who ran in answer to his cries for help,
and at last succeeded in taking the bird prisoner.
When about to devour their prey these birds always retire to some
spot where they are likely to be unmolested; even whilst the work of
destruction is slowly going on they pause from time to time and listen
attentively, in the fear that an intruder is at hand. The entire
carcase is in most cases consumed, the head being first devoured, and
then the rest of the body; even the bones are crushed and swallowed,
but the entrails are rejected. The hair or feathers would seem to be
actually necessary to digestion, seeing that they are swallowed in large
quantities, probably for the purpose of clearing out their stomachs,
where they become formed into balls, which are rejected every few days in
the shape of "castings." When hair or feathers are not obtainable they
will swallow hay or straw, apparently for a like purpose. The eyrie is
built about the month of March. The eggs, which are comparatively small,
are round, rough-shelled, white or greenish grey, and irregularly marked
with spots of various shapes and sizes; those of the Tawny Eagle are the
largest, and those of the Golden Eagle the smallest eggs of the three;
in other respects they so closely resemble each other that the eyries
are frequently mistaken. The eggs are sometimes three in number, but it
is rare to find more than one, or at any rate two nestlings. The female
broods for five weeks, and is assisted by her mate in the heavy duty
of providing food for the family. If taken from the nest young, Eagles
may be easily tamed, and become much attached to those who feed them;
if carefully tended they often attain a great age, and instances are on
record of their having lived for upwards of a century in confinement.
[Illustration: THE GOLDEN EAGLE (_Aquila chrysaëtos_).]
We learn from Pallas and Eversmann that the Tawny and Golden Eagles
are extensively employed by the Bashkirs for hunting purposes. The
inhabitants of Mongolia set a high value upon the wing and tail feathers
of these birds, offering them to their gods, and also employing them to
feather their arrows; they never willingly hurt an Eagle, and should such
an accident occur, it is despatched with the utmost promptitude, in
order to avoid the anger of the bad spirits. It is a remarkable fact that
these strange superstitions are shared by the American Indians, by whom
the body of an Eagle, coloured with red paint, and surmounted with the
tail of a rattlesnake, is often employed to symbolise some notable deed
of daring. Some tribes regard the plumes as tokens of bravery, placing a
feather upon their heads for every enemy they kill, and, when engaged in
war, often fasten these feathers to their weapons, or wear them in their
hair.
[Illustration: THE IMPERIAL EAGLE (_Aquila imperialis_).]