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Show 210 CAPT. W. H. UNWIN ON THE BREEDING [Apr. 21, May 31.-The young Eagle has now been here 18 days, and has grown a good deal in the time. A few dark brown feathers are beginning to sprout among the downy coat on the shoulders, back, and wing-coverts. He eats freely, his food consisting of small birds, which are shot for him daily; they are cut to pieces, and given with the feathers still adhering to them. June 15th.-Great increase in dark brown plumage. Quills and rectrices are developing rapidly ; and the lanceolate golden-chestnut feathers characteristic of A. chrysaetos are beginning to show on the nape and occiput. Is much increased in size and strength, and appears to thrive well generally, but is very impatient of the heat, which has now set in. July 1st.-Plumage rapidly developing, everywhere showing an exact similitude to that of the mother, with the exception of the tail, which begins to show the white basal ring typical of the Golden Eagle in its first plumage. The central quill-feathers have also their basal half quite white on both webs ; this becomes gradually mottled till it passes into the dark brown of the terminal half of the feather. Similar feathers in the mother have their basal halves of a dark grey, densely clouded and spotted with blackish brown. Claws and feet have much increased in power ; and the golden brown hue of the head, occiput, and shoulders is becoming very distinct. The bird is now up in the hills with me, and appears to enjoy the cool climate immensely. He frequently utters a loud continuous discordant cry, very difficult to imitate or describe in writing; it is something like chee-aw, chee-aw, chee-aw, repeated quickly for half an hour at a time. I observe that this cry becomes louder and more strenuous if he sees any Kite or other raptorial bird passing overhead. Is very quiet and gentle with people who go near him, but made a fierce rush at a small terrier who came within his reach. Is now quite capable of tearing up birds for himself, and gets through a great number in the course of the day. August 1st.-Has grown a great deal during the past month, and has everywhere assumed the dark brown plumage shown in his mother, except on the inner and lower parts of the thighs and tarsi, where a good deal of white down remains uncovered. The head has assumed its full covering of lanceolate golden-chestnut feathers ; and the same colour is apparent on the shoulders and in front of the thigh-coverts. It is everywhere of a darker and richer shade than in the mother, owing probably to its not having been exposed to the weather. The claws are very large and powerful for so young a bird. Feet bright wax-yellow ; cere and lips lemon-yellow ; irides of a much brighter and clearer brown than when first taken ; the tail is large and well grown, with white basal ring well developed. Plumage generally sleek and glossy. Disposition shy and timid, as a rule ; but every now and then he shows signs of a fierce temper. I have tried him with various kinds of birds in feeding him, and find that he shows considerable discretion. Any kind of Dove or Pigeon or Partridge is at once recognized and devoured; he will also accept, |
