THE ALLIES OF THE PIGEON 



387 



Hawks, Eagles, Vultures, and Allies. The Rapto'res (Lat. 

 raptor, "robber ") are generally spoken of as birds of prey, 

 though the term is equally applicable to some members of 

 other groups, the gulls among the long-winged swimmers, 

 for example. The beak is stout, strong, and sharply hooked 

 (Fig. 203) ; the toes, arranged three in front and one be- 

 hind, are provided with strong, sharp, curved claws 

 (Fig. 197) with which to seize their living prey, except in 

 the vultures, which 

 feed on carrion. All 

 the Rap tores possess 

 great powers of flight. 

 The female is larger 

 than the male. The 

 nests are generally 

 bulky and are com- 

 posed of sticks and 

 placed in tall trees or 

 on rocky cliffs. 



The red-shouldered 

 and the red-tailed 



hawks are generally termed "hen hawks," or "chicken 

 hawks/' by farmers. Though they occasionally levy tribute 

 on the chicken yard, their propensities in this direction are 

 not so marked as is the case with some of the other hawks, 

 which do not sail so conspicuously in the air. Except in 

 some localities, hawks undoubtedly do more good than 

 harm by destroying large numbers of mice and other small 

 mammals. The vultures are, generally speaking, scaven- 

 gers, though they may attack weak and disabled animals. 

 The black vulture and the turkey buzzard are invaluable 

 as scavengers in the Southern states. They have been 

 protected for this reason, and have become very tame in 

 many places. 



Fig. 203. Head of golden eagle 



