92 THE STORY OF THE BIRDS 



contains such distinctive groups as the Eagles, 

 the Bearded Vultures, the Carrion Hawks, the 

 Hawks, Harriers, Buzzards, Kites, and typical 

 Falcons. Although in such a large assemblage 

 of birds we meet with much diversity of form and 

 plumage and habits, the general characteristics 

 are present which sharply define the group from 

 all others — the same short stout bill, curved and 

 hooked, the same powerful feet armed with 

 talons, the same powerful wings (if differing in 

 length and form). Great diversity of size is also 

 present, for we have only to compare the mighty 

 Sea Eagles with the diminutive Falconet no 

 bigger than a sparrow ! But little tendency to 

 gregariousness is exhibited, although in some 

 cases marked social habits are presented. They 

 frequent almost every description of scenery — 

 from the sea-coast to the mountain tops, from 

 the ice-clad regions to the steaming forests of 

 the Equator. Gifted with keen sight and smell, 

 they hunt their prey in a great variety of ways, 

 and their food is of an animal nature. Their 

 nests may be placed in almost every kind of 

 situation, from the ground to the tops of trees 

 and beetling precipices. Their eggs may be 

 either pale blue and spotless, or richly orna- 

 mented with blotches and spots of reddish-brown 



