Order I. ACCIPITRE8. linn.' 



This Order embraces the Birds of Prey : they have the 

 bill, of various length and form, more or less compressed ; 

 with the culmen suddenly hooked at the tip, and acute ; 

 the base more or less covered with a cere, in which are 

 pierced the variously- formed nostrils ; the wings lengthened 

 and pointed ; the feet strong, with the tarsi moderate, gene- 

 rally rounded and covered with scales of diflferent shapes ; the 

 toes, three before, and one behind, all armed with strong 

 claws, and their soles invariably rough. 



The First Sub-Order, 



ACCIPITRES DIURNI, or Diurnal Birds of Prey, 



are distinguished from those that pursue their food in the 

 twilight, or at night, by the lateral position of their eyes ; 

 the base of the upper mandible covered for nearly hal^ its 

 length with a prominent cere, in which the nostrils are 

 placed ; the tarsi moderate, scaled, and rarely covered with 

 plumes. 



The First Family, 



VULTURIDiE, or Vultures, 



have the bill more or less strong, compressed, with the 

 tip hooked, and acute ; the wings lengthened and pointed ; 

 the tarsi short, rounded, and covered with reticulated scales ; 

 the toes moderate : the middle one the largest, and longer 

 tban the tarsi, the outer connected with the middle one by a 

 membrane, the hin^ toe rather elevated, and all armed with 

 strong obtuse claws. 



Most of the birds of this family have the head and neck 

 more or less clothed with down in the place of feathers, and 

 the crop is prominent, naked, or covered with woolly hairs. 



The First Sub-Family, 



GYPAETINJE, or Bearded Vultures, 



have the head and neck completely clothed with feathers, 



* The Eaptatores of Illiger, the Rapacea of M. Temminck, or the Raptores of 

 Mr. Swainson. 



