207

HARPY EAGLE.

Tuts is a very noble looking bird, but its name denotes
its character; with it, however, we must not find fault,
for it is that which Gop has thought proper to assign
to it, Its colour is a light slate grey on the back, and
the crest is dusky -black; the breast is white, with a
band across it of dark slate- colour. The tail is barred
with black and slate-colour; the vill and toes are black,
and the legs yellow.

“The feathers of the neck, and sides of the head in
the harpy eagle are broad and rounded at their anterior
margin, and capable of being puffed up; while on the
back of the head, the feathers, still of the same charac-
ter, but longer, form a sort of crest, which the bird
can raise or depress at pleasure. The middle feathers
of this crest are shorter than the more lateral, so that
when erected, it is lowest in the centre, and rises at
each side somewhat in the form of ears or tufts; but
the proud deportment, and the fierce glance of the eyes
redeem the owl-like character thus given to the head.
Often have we watched the splendid harpy eagle in the
gardens of the zoological society, as he has sat upright
on his perch, and motionless as a statue, unmoved by
every attempt to intimidate him, or disturb his dignified
composure; while the gleam of his eye fixed steadily
upon us, betokened at once daring and energy. In
strength none equal him: in courage and ferocity none
excel him.

But we have seen the harpy eagle under other
circumstances. We have seen him feasting on his