416 



NOCTUPtXAL BIRDS OF PREY. 



lambs, goats, and chamois. Generally it endeavours to make its 

 victims throw themselves from precipitous rocks, and devours them 

 after they have been killed by then- fall— hence it was called by the 

 Romans Ossifrasra, or the hnne-'breaker. 



NocTURi^AL Birds of Prey. 



The nocturnal birds of prey have a very large head 

 and a very short neck ; the eyes are directed forwards 

 and surrounded by a circle of fringed feathers. The 

 pupil of the eye is large, and the sight imperfect. 

 The external toe can be directed forwards or back- 



