ERNE, Halieritus, a genus of birds of the family falconidce, and of the eagle group; differing from the true eagles in the greater length of the bill, in the toes and lower part of the tarsi being destitute of feathers, and generally, also, in frequenting the sea coast and the banks of lakes and rivers to feed on fish, in feeding like vultures on car rion almost as readily as on newly killed prey, and in inferior courage. The only Brit ish species is the Cog: to E. (H. albicilla), also known as the sea eagle or white-tailed sea eagle. It is much more common in Britain than the golden eagle, is sometimes seen even in the s. of England and in inland districts, occasionally visiting deer-parks to prey on very young fawns or to devour dead deer; but is of more frequent occurrence in the n. of Scotland, doing considerable injury to flocks in Sutherlandshire, par ticularly during the season of young lambs. Its favorite haunts, where it roosts and makes its nest, are the shelves and ledges of stupendous precipices on the coast, where its scream often mingles with the noise of the perpetual surge. It sometimes also breeds on crags beside inland lakes, as at the lakes of Killarney, and more rarely even on trees. Fishes are certainly its favorite food, although its mode of procuring them is not well known; but water-fowl are also its very frequent prey. It is found in most parts of Europe, and even in the islands of the Mediterranean, but is more abundant in the n. of Europe and in Siberia. It is not known as a native of America. In size, the E. is inferior to the golden eagle, being seldom more than 33)n. in its whole length. The general color of the plumage it brown, the head having a paler yellowish tinge, the tail in the adult bird is pure white. The young, sometimes called the cinereous eagle, has a grayer plumage and mottled tail.—Another notable species of this genus is
the WHITE-HEADED E. W. leucocephalus) of America, also called the white-headed eagle, bald eagle, and sea eagle, the chosen symbol of the United States. It is a bird of about the same size with the common E., with dark-brown plumage, and—in an adult state—the head, neck, tail, and belly white. It is found in almost all parts of North America, visiting the arctic regions in summer, but abounding chiefly in the southern states between the Atlantic and the Mississippi. It frequents both the sea coast and the lakes and rivers, and may be often seen sailing through the column of spray at the falls of Niagara. It is very fond of fish, which it procures by wading in shallow streams, and also by compelling the osprey to relinquish prey just taken. The soaring and evolutions of the birds in the air on such occasions are described as sub lime. The white-headed E. feeds also on lambs, fawns, poultry, &c.; kills swans, geese, and other water-fowl ; and does not disdain to compel vultures to disgorge for its use the carrion which they have swallowed. On account of its habits and dispositions, Franklin expressed his regret that it had been chosen as the symbol of his country.— More nearly resembling the common E. is another North American species, the BIRD OF WASHINGTON (II. Wcsshingtonii). —Australia produces a beautiful species (H. leuco gaster), and numerous species are found in other parts of the world, amongst which are Some of comparatively small size, as the PONDICHERRY KITE or BRAHMANY KITE (II. ponticerianus) of India, which is constantly to be seen fishing like a gull in the rivers of that country, and is by the Hindus considered sacred to Vishnu.