OUR LIVING WORLD. 



BIRDS OF PREY, 



VULTURES. 



N the arrangement of the various species of living creatures which possess a visible 

 organization, the greater or less perfection of the structure has formed the basis of 

 systematic classification. In a certain sense, however, the development of all ani- 

 mals is equally perfect, inasmuch as it is most perfectly adapted to the necessities 

 of the particular species or individual ; so that the term perfection is necessarily 

 rather a conventional one, and the systems of zoological arrangement are as various 

 as their authors. * 



All the birds of prey, called scientifically Raptatores, or Accipitres, are readily known 

 by their compressed and hooked beaks, the powerful talons which arm their toes, and the 

 twelve or fourteen quill-feathers of the tail. The Vultures are distinguished by the shape of 

 the beak, which is of moderate size, nearly straight above, curved suddenly and rounded at the 

 tip, and without any "teeth" in the \ipper mandible. The middle toe of the foot is larger 

 than the others, and the outer toes are connected with them at their base by a small membrane. 

 In the greater number of species the head and upper part of the neck are nearly naked, and 

 the eyes are unshaded by the feathery ridge which overhangs these organs in the eagles. As 

 a general rule, the Vultures feed on dead carrion, and are therefore most beneficial to the 

 countries which they inhabit. When pressed by hunger, however, they will make inroads 

 upon the flocks and herds, and will not disdain to satisfy their wants with rats, mice, small 

 birds, or insects. 



The name of Bearded Vulture has been given to the Lammergeyer on account of the tufts 

 of long and stiff bristle-like hairs which take their rise at the nostrils and beneath the bill, 

 and form a very prominent characteristic of the species. The "cere," a soft naked skin 

 which is placed on the base of the beak, is not very large, and the upper mandible is rather 

 higher in front of the cere. The feet are not so large as in many of the birds of prey, and are 

 not very well adapted for seizing or retaining prey. As, however, the Lammergeyer is not a 

 bird of chase, like the eagle and falcon, but obtains its food by striking chamois, goats, and 

 other animals over the precipices near which they are standing, the powerful claws of the eagle 

 would be of little .service to it. The claws are therefore comparatively feeble, short, and are 

 covered with feathers down to the toes. 



The color of the Lammergeyer is a gray-brown, curiously dashed with white upon the 

 upper surface, in consequence of a white streak which runs along the centre of each feather. 

 The under surface of the body, together with the neck, are nearly white, tinged with a wash 



* Naturalists are now well agreed that the Thrushes are naturally entitled to the first rank among birds, and that 

 the birds of prey rank near the Pigeons and the Gallinaceous birds. The text of Mr. Wood being almost wholly popular, 

 not involving any considerable technicality, we do not feel authorized to change its arrangement. There will, however, 

 be tables of the most recent classification at the end of the volume. T-'uitur. 



