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IX. RAPTORES. PLUNDERERS. 



By the term Raptores may be designated an order of birds, 

 the predatory habits of which have obtained for them a renown 

 exceeding that of any other tribe, with the exception of those 

 species, essentially differing in disposition, and more important 

 in an economical point of view, which are known collectively 

 as the Rasores or Grallinaceous Birds. All the species of this 

 great class are in some sense plunderers, but those which we 

 now have to examine, being characterized by a form and com- 

 bination of organs adapting them for seizing and devouring 

 quadrupeds, birds, reptiles, and other animals, seem peculiarly 

 entitled to the appellation. The most obvious peculiarities by 

 which they are distinguished from other groups are observed 

 in their hook-pointed bill, and long, curved, acuminate claws. 

 In form and magnitude they vary exceedingly, some being of 

 great size or very robust, while others are remarkably slender 

 or diminutive. In the proportions of their wings and tail, as 

 well as in the texture and development of their plumage, they 

 have scarcely any common character besides that of being in 

 every case furnished with powerful organs of flight. Even 

 their digestive apparatus, although in some essential respects 

 uniform, presents several striking modifications. 



In general, the tongue is short, fleshy, concave above, rounded 

 or emarginate ; the oesophagus very wide ; the proventricular 

 glandules forming a complete belt ; the stomach large, round- 

 ish, with a thin muscular coat, composed of a single series of 



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