OWLS AND DIURNAL BIRDS OF PREY. 325 
intermediate order, but Blanford includes it in the Acczpitres, 
giving it rank only as a separate family. 
The Accipitres, which are found all over the world, agree 
with the Owls in the structure of the palate, in the strong, 
much-hooked beak, furnished with a cere, and in their curved 
claws. They differ in the position of their eyes, which are 
directed laterally and not forwards, while the plumage is 
firmer and not so fluffy. The females in most species are 
larger than the males. The young when hatched are helpless 
and covered with down. The nest is usually a large structure 
of twigs placed in a tree, or on a rocky ledge. The eggs are 
often white, but generally more or less blotched with red or 
brown. 
Indian members of the order are divided into three 
families :— 
(1) Pandionide—The Osprey, in which the outer toe is 
reversible, 7.e., provided with more or less the same power 
of movement as the human thumb, and capable of being 
directed backwards or forwards. The contour feathers are 
not provided with an after-shaft.* 
(2) Vulturide-—-Vultures. In this family the contour 
feathers are provided with an after-shaft, while the outer toe 
is not reversible. The crown of the head is either wholly 
naked, or covered only with down. 
(3) Falconide.—Eagles, Hawks, and Falcons. These agree 
with the Vultures in the non-reversible outer toe and the 
presence of an after-shaft, but have the crown of the head 
fully feathered. 
Family PANDIONID 2. 
Genus Pandion. 
The Osprey. 
The Osprey or Fishing Hawk, as stated before, differs from 
all the other members of the order in having no after-shaft to 
the feathers, and in possessing a reversible outer toe. 

* The after-shaft is a miniature feather springing from the inner 
surface of the shaft of the main feather at its base. 1t can generally 
be well seen on the breast feathers of an Eagle or Hawk. 
