618 SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — RAPTORES. 



seinitendinosus nor its accessory (excepting Cathartides, which have the two last named, and 

 Gyi^ogeranides, which have these and the accessory femorocaudal). Coeca present (except in 

 Cathartides) . Oil-gland present in all, nude in Cathartides and as a rule in Striges. After- 

 shafts present (usually), lacking in Pandion and nearly all Striges, and all Cathartides ; wing 

 aquintocubital. Powder down patches sometimes occur; there are two carotids ; the syrinx, 

 when developed, is of ordinary broncho-tracheal character, or bronchial (Striges). The nature 

 is altricial, yet ptiloptedic, the young being downy when hatched, and long fed by the parents in 

 the nest. The alimentary canal varies with the families, but differs from that of vegetarian birds, 

 in adaptation to exclusively animal diet. In the higher types, the whole structure betokens 

 strength, activity, and ferocity, carnivorous propensities and predaceous nature. Most of the 

 smaller, or weaker, species feed much upon insects ; others more particularly upon reptiles, 

 and lish ; others upon carrion ; but the majority prey upon other birds, and small mammals, 

 captured in open warfare. To this end, the claws no less than the beak are specially adapted, 

 by their development in the "talons" which we constantly associate with our ideas of Birds 

 of Prey. These weapons of offence and defence are as a rule of great size, strength, crook- 

 edness, and acuteness ; also peculiar in being convex on the sides, gradually narrowed to the 

 point, and little or not excavated underneath. Inner claw larger than outer ; hinder smaller 

 than middle ; all very flexibly jointed, so that they may be strongly bent underneath the toes, 

 carrying to the extreme the grasping power of the feet. Legs muscular and largely free from 

 the body, feathered to the suffrago or beyond ; when unfeathered, the tarsal envelop varies in 

 character. Wings ample, and, as usual in birds below Passeres, the coverts long and numerous, 

 covering three-fourths or more of the folded wing. The tail, very variable in shape, has 12 

 rectrices (with rare exceptions as 14 in Thalassoaetus, Neophron, etc). 



Representatives of this order are found in every part of the world. They are divisible into 

 four primary groups, of more classificatory value than that attaching to average families in 

 ornithology, and therefore to be held as supcrfamilies or suborders. One of these, Gypogeran- 

 ides, consists of the single remarkable Serpentarius serpentarius, the Secretary-bird or Serpent- 

 eater of Africa ; this shows a curious grallatorial analogy, being mounted on long legs like a 

 Crane, and has several important structural modifications. The other three are Striges or 

 Owls; Accipitres or Hawks, Eagles, etc., including Old World Vultures; and Cathartides or 

 American Vultures — these last more different from the others collectively than the rest are 

 from one another. All are well represented in this country. They are recognizable at a 

 glance, but the following analysis will serve to place the characters of the suborders and their 

 respective families in strong relief. 



Analysis oj Suborders and Families. 



Feet scarcely raptorial, with weak, blunt, lengthened, little curved or contractile claws. Hind toe elevated, not 

 more than half as long as outer toe, with small claw ; middle toe lengthened ; outer toe not versatile ; front toes 

 all webbed at base ; basal joint of middle toe longer than either of the succeeding ones. Nostrils large, perfo- 

 rate. Bill little raptorial, lengthened and somewhat contracted in continuity, tomia never lobed or toothed, tip 

 blunt, little hooked. Head largely naked. Index digit with a large claw. No lower larynx, coeca, aftershafts, 

 or tuft of oil-gland. Ambiens present; femorocaudal present or absent : semitendinosus and its accessory pres- 

 ent plantar tendons sympelmous, but flexors after fusion split into tendons for 2d-4th toes, and others for 1st- 



3d toes CATHARTIDES 



Diurnal ; gressorial ; feed exclusively on carrion Cathartid.e 



Feet highly raptorial, with large, strong, sharp, curved, contractile claws. Hind toe not elevated, lengthened, more 

 than half as long as outer toe, with large claw ; outer toe often versatile ; front toes with slight basal webbing 

 between outer and middle, or none. Nostrils small, imperforate. Bill short, stout, very seldom contracted in 

 its continuity, tomia often once or twice lobed or toothed, tip sharp, much hooked. Head feathered completely 

 or in greatest part. Coeca present, long or very small. Plumage with or without aftershafts. Ambiens present 

 or absent. Femorocaudal present. Semitendinosus and its accessory absent. As a rule, saltatorial, and kill 

 their prey. 



Physiognomy not peculiar ; no great lateral expansion of the cranium or thickening of its walls with diploe ; 

 eyes looking sideways ; no facial disc or only an imperfect one ; base of bill not hidden by appressed 

 feathers. Nostrils wholly in the cere. Tomia usually toothed or lobed. No external ear-conch. Outer 



