Romans adopted their symbolism, and ranges from the eastern Mediterranean to China. It is somewhat smaller and darker than the golden eagle, and seems to be less noble in its feeding habits and behavior; indeed an impartial judgment must concede that the eagles do not nearly as well deserve the admirable qualities attributed to them by poetry and romance as do many of the lesser falcons—they are, in truth, not far removed from vultures in either structure or disposition. Much smaller, not exceeding 25 inches in length, are the spotted eagles (Aquila maculata and Aquila clanga) of central and southern Europe: while other less-prominent species are the tawny eagle (Aquila rapax) of Africa, the Indian tawny eagle (Aquila vindhiana) , and the vulturine eagle (Aquila verrcauxi) of South Africa, which is marked by a white rump, and must be distinguished from the eagle-vulture (q.v.). See also Hawk-Eagle.
Sea-Eagles. Next in importance come the sea-eagles or ernes of the genus Haliaëtus, which haunt coasts and large river-courses, and feed mainly upon fish in all parts of the world. Here belongs the American white-headed or ‘bald’ eagle, the national emblem of the United States (Haliaëtus leucocephalus)—an unfortunate choice when its predatory methods are considered. This eagle originally was numerous all over North America, and still survives near the coast, around the Great Lakes, and along the larger rivers in considerable numbers, wherever it is not too ruthlessly persecuted. It is nearly as big as the golden eagle, but is not feathered to the toes, and its head. neck, and tail, after the third year, are perfectly white. It does not migrate, except from the most northerly, ice-bound portions of its range, and is, indeed, a home-keeper, a single pair sometimes occupying the same great nest of sticks, repaired each season, for many years in succession, followed perhaps by their descendants, for nests are known (one is near Cleveland, Ohio) which have not been vacant for nearly a century. Two is the usual number of eggs. This eagle feeds upon fish mainly. For the most part this is picked, dead or dying, from the surface or shore; bald eagles have always abounded in the neighborhood of Niagara Falls, because of the constant supply of fish found there, killed by going over the falls or being caught in the whirlpools below. They also regularly attack fish-hawks, and compel them to drop what they have caught. When fish are not obtainable they eat carrion, or kill small birds and mammals, as do the buzzard-hawks, now and then capturing poultry.
The sea-eagles of the Old World are larger than the bald eagle. The most familiar is the while-tailed erne (Haliaëtus albicilla), now nearly exterminated from Great Britain, except in the far north of Scotland, but a familiar sight on the coasts of the Hebrides, and thence eastward throughout Europe and most of Asia. In Siberia and Kamchatka still greater species are found. Steller's sea eagle, which ranges from China and Japan to the Aleutian Islands, attaining a length of 41 inches—the largest of its tribe. Africa has several species.
Crested and Other Eagles. Members of several allied genera are usually called eagles. A remarkable one is the ‘bataleur’ (Helotarsus ecaudatus) of Africa, whose plumage is most strikingly variegated with maroon, black, and gray, and whose head is covered with large upstanding feathers; its food is mainly snakes and lizards. The buzzard and harrier eagles of the genera Batastur and Circaëtus, whose several species are African and South Asiatic, are also fond of a reptilian diet; while an Oriental genus (Spilornis) of large handsome birds are usually called by natives ‘serpent eagles’ (q.v.); among the most conspicuous of these is the Philippine one (Spilornis holospilus), the whole plumage being brown, spotted with white. Several forms of handsome crested eagles are African and East Indian, and much that is interesting might be related of them and of the hawk-eagles, did space permit. Australia possesses a single and peculiar species in the carrion-feeding wedge-tailed eagle (Uroaëtus audax); and in the fierce tropical harpies (genus Harpyhaliaëtus) South America has representatives of this family almost equaling in size and surpassing in courage and power those of all the rest of the world. See Harpy-Eagle.
The literature relating to eagles is little separated from that of birds generally, as outlined under Bird. For the limited use made of eagles in falconry, where they were counted ‘ignoble,’ see Falconry. See Plate of Eagles and Hawks.
EAGLE. A military standard, adopted by the Romans, and even by nations preceding them in history. The Persians, in the time of Cyrus the Younger, bore an eagle on a spear as a standard. The Romans for some time used the eagle, the wolf, the boar, the horse, and the minotaur for standards, but afterwards abandoned the last four and confined themselves to the eagle. The Roman eagle, sometimes of gold, but more frequently of silver, was about as large as a pigeon with extended wings, and was borne on the top of a spear, with a cross-bar or a shield to support it. Some of the eagles were represented as holding thunderbolts in their talons, and usually bore the name of the legion to which they severally belonged.
EAGLE, Black. An Order of chivalry in Prussia. It was founded by the Elector of Brandenburg, January 18, 1701—the day of his coronation as King of Prussia. The number of knights, in addition to the royal family, was originally thirty, but it is now unlimited. The Order is conferred for distinguished merit in the military or civil service of the State, and carries with it a patent of nobility. The insignia consist of a Maltese cross of blue enamel, and a black eagle displayed between the arms of the cross. On a circular plaque in the centre is the royal cipher F.R., with a laurel branch below and the words Suum cuique (“To each his own”). The cross is suspended by a broad ribbon of orange color hung across the left shoulder, and with it is worn an embroidered silver star fastened on the left breast. The centre of the star shows a black flying eagle with a laurel wreath and thunderbolt, and the same legend as the cross. Only reigning princes and Knights of Saint John may wear any other Order with the eagle, which is the highest decoration in Prussia.
EAGLE, Red, Order of the. A Prussian Order, founded in 1734 by the Margrave George Frederick Charles of Bayreuth, as a reorganization of the Ordre de la Sincerité, which had been instituted in the beginning of the century by the hereditary Prince of Bayreuth. After passing
