The TUFTED EAGLE (_Lophoaëtos occipitalis_), also an inhabitant
of Africa, is considerably smaller than its congeners, and easily
recognisable by the crest that adorns its head. The body is compact, the
wings long, the tail short, and the tarsi high. The plumage is almost
entirely dark brown, deepest in shade upon the belly, and lightest on the
breast; the edges of the wings, the base of the crest, lower wing-covers,
the plumage upon the tarsi, roots of the tail-feathers, and three crooked
streaks passing over the tail are of a whitish hue. The eyes are bright
yellow, the beak greyish blue, dark at its tip, and light towards its
base; the cere is pale yellow, and the feet straw colour. The length
of this bird is about nineteen inches and three-quarters, its breadth
forty-six inches; the wing measures twelve and three-quarters, the tail
seven inches. The female is one inch and a quarter longer and two inches
broader than her mate.
The Tufted Eagle is met with in considerable numbers in the countries
watered by the Upper Nile, where it usually frequents groups of Mimosa
trees, perching amongst the branches for hours together, with eyes half
closed, as it lazily spreads or closes the crest upon its head. At such
times it has very little the appearance of a bird of prey; but should
some poor mouse, rat, pigeon, or squirrel venture near the spot where it
indolently reposes, all the instincts of an Eagle are at once exhibited,
and the apparently idle dreamer darts down upon its victim with a
boldness and rapacity fully equalling that displayed by some European
Hawks; in fact, despite the smallness of its size, it may be regarded
as one of the most terrible of the numerous freebooters inhabiting the
African forests. We learn from Le Vaillant that this species builds upon
trees, and lines its nest with wool or feathers, and that the eggs,
two in number, are almost round, of a whitish colour, and marked with
reddish-brown spots. The Tufted Eagle is but rarely brought to Europe;
indeed, the Zoological Gardens of London, Antwerp, and Hamburg are, we
believe, the only places of public resort that have boasted a living
specimen of this very striking species, whose streaming crest, dark, rich
plumage, and fiery eyes, cannot fail to render it an object of interest.
It may be kept alive for many years in this country if carefully tended,
and is but little sensitive as to climate. A Tufted Eagle that we saw in
confinement was very lively, and uttered its cry lustily, both morning
and evening; but in its general behaviour showed little of the courage
for which it is remarkable in a state of freedom.
* * * * *
The DESTROYING EAGLES (_Pternura_) constitute a race of South American
birds, very closely resembling the Tufted Eagle in their general
appearance, but recognisable by the comparative length of their wings (in
which the fifth quill is longer than the rest), and by the shortness of
their toes.