Page:The Natural History of Ireland vol1.djvu/37

 to wash themselves, a large vessel was provided : when fresh water is put into this vessel, it is at once occupied by one of them, and surrounded by the others waiting their turn for a dip ; they constantly lie in it for some time until completely wetted."

Aquila nævia, Brisson.

Falco F. maculatus, Gmel.

September, 1845, Mr. R. Davis, jun., of Clonmel, wrote to me respecting a bird then in his possession: "In contour, bill, eyes, legs, &c, it is a miniature of the golden eagle, but about one-third less than a male of that species ; except the tail-coverts and some spots on the wings and breast, it is entirely of a very deep glossy blackish- brown : the body is of small size, comparatively with the head, wings, and tail." [Claws, yellow ; beak, horn-colour, with a yellow streak at the base; weight, rather exceeding that of a full-grown raven.' ] This gentleman subsequently forwarded for my inspection, a coloured drawing of the bird, (which he believed to be of this species,) repre- senting it in immature plumage. A wood-cut taken from the drawing has appeared in the second edition of Yarrel's British Birds, vol. i. p. 10, and in the Zoologist for January, 1846. In a communication made to the Annals of Natural History for Nov., 1845, p. 351, Mr. Davis stated that the bird was shot when preying on a rabbit, in January, 1845, on the estate of the Earl of Shannon, in the county of Cork. Another eagle of the same species, said to be similarly marked, but rather lighter in colour, had been killed there a few days before. The two birds had been observed for several weeks previously, sweeping over the low grounds between Castle-martyr and Clay Castle, near Youghal.

In a letter from Dr. Harvey of Cork, dated Oct. 30, 1845, it was remarked, with reference to the Irish specimen: — "Mr.

Noted by Mr. S. Moss, of Youghal, who received the bird in a fresh state.