FALCONS. SOI 
The diurnal section of the Rapacious order is divided into three 
families; the Falcons, the Vultures, and the Serpent-eaters. 
FALCONIDA. 
The Falcon tribe have a very strong and comparatively short beak, 
which is generally curved from the base, with denticulated or scalloped 
edges; the head and neck covered with feathers; the talons very 
powerful, and furnished with retractile nails—not, indeed, in the same 
manner as cats, which have the power of withdrawing or sheathing 
theirs within the integuments, but by a conformation which gives the 
bird of prey the power of elevating its claws at pleasure. 
These are the birds of prey par excellence. ‘They feed for the 
most part on living animals; there are, however, some which, when 
other means of sustenance fail, devour putrefied flesh. Their flight 
is very rapid, and they ascend to immense altitudes. They are 
seldom to be seen on the ground ; if they settle there it is but to 
seize their prey, which accomplished, they without delay take wing 
to their aerie. They lay at the utmost three or four eggs. Their 
plumage alters considerably during their early years; to such an 
extent, indeed, does this occur, that the young and the adult birds 
have often been taken for two distinct species. This fact has nota 
little contributed to confuse students of ornithology. 
This family is a very numerous one, comprising no less than nine 
genera ; namely, Eagles, Sea-eagles, Harpy Eagles, Caracara Eagles, 
Hawks, Goshawks, Kites, Harriers, and Buzzards. 
The Eagle genus is characterised as follows :—The bill scalloped, 
but not toothed, and presenting a straight portion at the base; the 
nostrils elliptical and transverse ; the tarsi short, and feathered down 
to the toes; the wings long ; and the tail rounded. 
Buffon has sketched a portrait of the Eagle, but his picture is by 
no means a model of accuracy :— 
“The Eagle,” he says, “both physically and morally, presents 
several points of harmony with the Lion. In the first place, in 
strength, and consequently in an empire over other birds, as the Lion 
over beasts. In magnanimity ; for he, too, disdains small creatures, 
and despises their insults. The Eagle will for a long time bear with 
the troublesome cries of the Crow and the Magpie ere he makes up 
his mind to punish them with death. Added to this, he covets no 
good things that he has not conquered for himself, and no other prey 
than that of his own catching. In temperance ; for he scarcely ever 
eats the whole of his victim, and, like the Lion, leaves the fragments 
