GREAT ERNE, OR CINEREOUS EAGLE.

(Falco Albicilla, Linn.-Le Grand Pygargue, Buff.)

Or this there appears to be three varieties, which

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differ chiefly in size:-the Great Erne, or Cinereous Eagle, (of Latham and Pennant); the Small Erne, or Lesser White-tailed Eagle; and the White-headed Erne, or Bald Eagle. The first two are distinguished only by their size, and the last by the whiteness of its head and neck.

The White-tailed Eagle is inferior in size to the Golden Eagle. The beak, cere, and eyes are of a pale yellow: the space between the beak and the eye is bluish, thinly covered with hair: the sides of the head and neck a pale ash, mixed with reddish brown: general colour of the plumage brown, darkest on the upper part of the head, neck, and back; quill feathers very dark; breast irregularly marked with white spots; tail white: the legs, which are of a bright yellow, are feathered a little below the knees; claws black.

This bird inhabits all the northern parts of Europe, and is found in Scotland and other parts of Great Britain. It is equal in strength and vigour to the Common Eagle, but more furious; and is said to drive its young ones from the nest, after having fed them only a very short time. It has commonly two or three young, and builds its nest upon lofty trees.

(Falco Ossifragus, Linn.-L'Orfraie, Buff.)

THIS bird is nearly as large as the Golden Eagle,

According to Temminck, this is not a distinct species, but a yearling White-tailed Eagle.

measuring in length three feet and a half, but its expanded wings do not reach above seven feet. The bill is large, much hooked, and bluish: irides in some light hazel, in others yellow: a row of strong bristly feathers hangs down from its under mandible next to its throat, whence it has been termed the Bearded Eagle: the top of the head and back part of the neck are dark brown, inclining to black: the feathers on the back are variegated by a lighter brown, with dark edges; scapulars pale brown, the edges nearly white; breast and belly whitish, with irregular spots of brown; tail feathers dark brown, the outer edges of the exterior feathers whitish; quill feathers and thighs dusky: legs and feet yellow; the claws, which are large, and form a complete semicircle, are of a shining black.

It is found in various parts of Europe and America: is said to lay only two eggs during the whole year, and frequently produces only one bird: it is however widely dispersed, and was met with at Botany Island by Captain Cook. It lives chiefly on fish: its usual haunts are by the sea-shore; it also frequents the borders of large lakes and rivers; and is said to see so distinctly in the dark, as to be able to pursue and catch its prey during the night. The story of the Eagle, brought to the ground after a severe conflict with a cat, which it had seized and taken up into the air with its talons, is very remarkable. Mr Barlow, who was an eyewitness of the fact, made a drawing of it, which he afterwards engraved.

BALD BUZZARD, SEA EAGLE, OR FISHING HAWK. (Falco Haliaëtus, Linn.-Le Balbuzzard, Buff.)

THE length of the male is twenty-two inches, the female about two feet; breadth above five: bill black, cere blue, eye yellow: crown of the head white, marked with oblong dusky spots; the cheeks, and all the under parts of the body, are white, slightly spotted with brown on the breast; from the corner of each eye a streak of dark brown extends down the sides of the neck towards the wing; the upper part of the body is