Tlw Birds of British. Guiana. 79 



power, and feeds inlirely on (ish, whicli it procures by div- 

 ing, sometimes from a great height, into their watery element. 

 Its outer toe or talon is reversible, and thus it is able to hold 

 its slippery and stniL^gling prey securely. Its range is world- 

 wide and it has been known to breed in Cireat Britain. It 

 was formerly classed among falcons, but is now regarded as 

 belonging to a separate family. 



Falcons are bold, long-winged, sw ift-fl>ing hawks; and 



chase their prey with vigour, seizing it as it flees, with great 



skill. They are distinguished by having a notched rnaxilla. 



To this class belong Kestrels. Hobbies, and the beautiful 



Merlin. 



Kites may generally be known by their forked tails. 

 One of the most remarkable is the Swallow-tailed Kite, which 

 as it soars on high after the manner of its tribe, might easily 

 be mistaken for a large swallow. Kites are closely related to 

 Buzzards. 



Under the term Hawk are included all diurnal raptorial 

 birds that are not Eagles or Vultures. Buzzards, or Kites, 

 Falcons, or Harriers. The word is used in a general sense of 

 all these birds. 



Harriers were originally 50 named from their habit of 

 harrying poultry. They are distinguished by having a frill 

 something like that of an Owl. In Might they resemble Buz- 

 zards, but walk more quickly on the ground. They affect 

 the open country and prey upon snakes and frogs. 



The Caracara or Carrion Hawk is a connecting link 

 between hawks and vultures, having the structure of the former 

 with the habits of the latter. It runs easily and quickly upon 

 the ground, a thing uncommon among hawks, and is often 

 seen in company with the Black \'ulture. There are se\"eral 

 other kinds of hawks which have similar characteristics; but 

 not in such a marked degree. Caracaras, when other food 

 fails, will eat insects, worms and seeds. 



The Blacii \/uilurc, erroneously called the Carrion Crow 

 or Turkey Buzzard, of which there are four species in the 

 Colony is a comixion subject. He may be seen at all limes 



