Order RAPTOTtES. 



Char. Base of upper mandible with a soft skin or cere. Upper mandi- 

 ble compressed ; its point curving down over that of the lower, forming a 

 strong sharp hook. Toes four, one behind. Size ^usually large, and frame 

 powerful. Female bird the larger, except in the Aadtures (and Polyhorus ?). 



These birds may be divided into two suli-orders, namely : — 



A. True birds of prey, which catcli their victims alive, and are dis- 

 tinguished by powerful bills, claws, and vigorous swift flight. 



B. CaiTion-eaters, feeding on dead animals, having rather weak bills, 

 long, straight claws, and heavy flight. The gradation of luiLs between these 

 two is, however, very close. 



Species are found in all parts of the world, the carrion-eaters, however, 

 being limited to warm climates. They are analogous to the Rapacia among 

 mannnals, and their office in the economy of nature is to keep in check the 

 excessive increase of the smaller kinds of other animals. Some foreign 

 snake-eating species have tlie legs very long like the cranes, to protect their 

 body from the bite of venomous serpents. 



Family STPJGID^, The Owls. 



Chak. Form usually short and liea\-y, the liead very large, round, and 

 frequently with tufts of feathers resembling ears. Eyes usually very large, 

 directed forwards, surroimded by short bristles and radiating feathers, which 

 form a more or less perfect disk around the face. Bill rather strong, much 

 curved from the base, nearly concealed by projecting bristles ; wings gener- 

 ally long ; outer edges of primaries fringed with soft ends ; whole plumage 

 very loose and soft, legs rather short, and in all American species feathered 

 or bristly. Cavity of tlie ear very large. 



