Page:The Natural History of Ireland vol1.djvu/27

 

BIRDS OF IRELAND.

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Order I. RAPTORES.

(Birds of Prey.)

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THE GOLDEN EAGLE.

Aquila chrysaëtos, Lin. (sp.^[1])
——fulva,Lin.„

Inhabits permanently several of the most lofty and retired mountain ranges throughout Ireland.

 

Distribution, Eyries, Habits, &c.

The collection of my friend, William Sinclaire, Esq. of Belfast, contained a splendid specimen in adult plumage of the golden eagle, which was trapped some years ago on Muckish mountain, in the county of Donegal. In June, 1832, the gamekeeper of Mr. Stewart of "the Horn"^[2] informed me when there, that since he entered on his present occupation in 1828, he had destroyed thirteen or fourteen eagles, of winch a single individual only was of this species: it was taken on one of the inland mountains of

1. An abbreviation of the word species, implying that the specific (and not the generic) name, is that of the author quoted. Falco is the Linnean genus.
2. The name given to the peninsula bounding the western entrance to Sheephaven, that terminates in the stupendous promontory of Horn Head.

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