The state herald., 1910-05-20

H um. Cromwell road, none is
III more striking or of greater In
terest than the mounted speci-
men Of the magnificent and
very rare eagle scientifically known as
Pithecophaga Jefferyi. 1t is Mt present
on exhibition in a special case in the
great central hall, where 1t may more
readily be seen by the numbers of WIS.,
itors who throng the museum during
the holidays. Up to the present time
very few examples of this extremely
local species have been procured. and
the individual now on view, which
lived for nearly six months at Re-
gents's park, was the first OF its kind
to reach any geological garden. It was
captured on the Island OF Mindanao
In n moose set by natives. the bait be-
OF Mr.. Willoughby p. Lowe 1t reached
London In the end OF August, 1909. In
fine condition. and its loss is greatly
to be regretted. At the time OF its
death II had almost completed its
moult and Is consequently In very fine
feather.
The mounting OF this eagle was In.
trusted to Messrs. Rowland Ward, lin.
tied. OF Piccadilly. who have. with
great skill. removed Its entire skele-
ton. which is placed alongside the bird
II will be seen that this difficult feat
has been performed without In any
way damaging the specimen. The
possession Of n complete skeleton Of
this remarkable raptor is of the ut.
most value In determining its true NJ.
finities. II was originally contended
by the writer. when he first described
the species from n skin In 1879. that
the nearest ally of Pithecophaga was
the hnrp-eagle (Thrasaetus harpyia) OF
South America. and It has now been
clearly shown by Mr.. Pycraft that this
is undoubtedly the case. and that its
afiinities are not with the serpent
eagles (Spilornis). rs the late DIR.
Sharpe had supposed.
The enormous size OF the skull.
which greatly exceeds that OF the
harpy-eagle. is well shown in the ac.
companying photograph. The discov.
cry OF this mighty bird Of prey was
without doubt the most remarkable
OF the late Mr.. John Whitehead's
achievements during his exploration OF
tho Philippine islands In 1896
Mr.. Whitehead first visited Daman
In July. 1895. and made n fine collec.
ton Of birds. but this was entirely dc.
stroyed by nre through the home.
bound ship being burned out in Sing.
apore. ITS an III wind that blows no.
body good" Owing to this misfor.
tune he was persuaded to return and
make good his loss. and II was during
his second visit In May. 1896. that he
obtained male example of this won.
derful eagle. II is certainly one OF the
most remarkable birds that has been
discovered In modern times.
The trees In the vast forests on tho
Pacific coast OF samar arc often very
high. some attaining tho gigantic stat.
urc OF two hundred and forty feet or
more. as was aseertnincd by the actual
measurement OF fallen trunks. On
more than one occasion Mr.. White.
head had noticed this large eagle fly.
ing nlong the edge Of the forest and
had frequently heard It's peculiar plain.
tive cry. "w-au wnu:" but II seemed
unlikely that ho would bc able 10 no.
euro n specimen. Ono morning. how.
ever. his servant returned with this
huge bird which he had shot with nm
old muxxic.loadcr. luckily putting one
buck shot into his neck. Hc had been
fortunate enough TO see tho bird perch
on one Of the highest trees. and thus
obtained n chance OF shooting Il.
Though mortally wounded. the eagle
fastened Its talona round tho
branch In itH doath.grip and hung
irmiy fixed near tho top OF
the trco. A. several other shots
failed TO move II. tho man. soon.
or than lose tho bird. climbed the tree
and secured the prize. The natives OF
spmar knew this eagle well nm n rob.
ber Of their poultry and small pigs. but
said that Il preyed chiefly on the green
monkeys tMacaous eynomoigua).
which are tho only animals sufficiently
abundant In those forests 10 supper,
such n large bird. That was tho his.
tory Of the ypespeeimen which IL