This section is from "The American Cyclopaedia", by George Ripley And Charles A. Dana. Also available from Amazon: The New American Cyclopędia. 16 volumes complete..
Harpy , in mythology. See Harpies.
Harpy , a bird of prey, of the subfamily aqui-linoe or eagles; the harpyia destructor (Cuv.) or thrasaetus harpyia (Linn.), and the crested, crowned, royal, tyrant, and destructive South American eagle of authors. The bill is strong, much curved at the acute tip; the wings moderate, reaching beyond the base of the tail, the fourth, fifth, and sixth quills the longest; tail long, broad, and slightly rounded; tarsi short and very thick; toes robust, armed with powerful claws. The length is from 2 1/2 to 3 ft., and the spread of the wings 5 to 6 ft. The bill is black, the head crested; the general color is dark brown above and white below, the feathers of the breast very long and loose; the tail barred with brown and black, and the vent and thighs with black and white. Several varieties of plumage occur, which have been made characters of different species, but Gray describes only one in the genus. The harpy eagle lives in the dark forests of intertropical America, especially near the borders of great rivers; it preys on sloths, monkeys, large birds, and on young deer and other quadrupeds of that size.
Harpy (Thrasaetus harpyia).
Its strength and courage are such that it will attack very large animals, and even man himself, if the Indians are to be believed.
 
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