RAPTORES. 



Order RAPTORES. 



This Order, the members of which perform such important 

 offices in the great scheme of nature, is but feebly represented 

 in AustraUa as compared with Europe, Asia, and the other 

 portions of the globe of similar extent ; for in India alone, 

 according to Mr. Jerdon, there are fifty-nine diurnal and 

 twenty- two nocturnal birds of prey, while in Australia the 

 number of the former is under thirty, and of the latter about ten. 

 The absence of any great Equine, Bovine, Cervine, or Antilopine 

 quadrupeds in Australia is doubtless the reason why her fauna 

 contains no Vultures to act as scavengers, as they do in India 

 and Africa when those huge beasts fall a prey to the large 

 Carnivora. One typical Eagle and one equally typical Osprcy 

 play their accustomed parts in Australia, as do also the two or 

 three species of true Falcons. Of Buzzards she has but one ; 

 but Kites and Harriers abound, as might be expected, in a 

 country where reptiles are abundant, and which is visited at 

 irregular periods by caterpillars to such an extent that the 

 entire face of the country would be ravaged and rendered a 

 desert were it not for these useful birds. Species of the 

 Goshawk and Sparrowhawk type too are not wanting, to keep 

 within bounds the smafier Mammalia and birds. Of the 

 nocturnal Rapaces, the members of the genus Strix play the 

 most important part ; of these there are four very well-defined 

 species which, in their structure and in the character of their 

 plumage, assimilate most closely with the Strix javanica of 

 India and the Strix Jlammea of Europe. These true nocturnes 

 prey to a great extent upon the numerous species of small 

 rodents which literally swarm in some parts of the country ; 

 while the huge yellow-eyed Owls (forming the genus Hiera- 

 coglaiix) of the brushes feed upon birds, youthful Koalas, the 

 night-loving Phalangistas, and Bandicoots. 



