26 THE WORLD'S BIBDS. 



Food. — Almost exclusively animal, the larger species 

 preying more on vertebrates, the smaller more on 

 insects. Many are carrion-feeders. They hold 

 their prey in their feet when feeding, and cast pellets 

 of bones, feathers, hair, etc. 



Gait. — A walk or run, usually rather awkward. They 

 also hop at times, but this is not their ordinary 

 gait. 



Flight. — Powerful, but varying in speed ; there is 

 usually great power of gliding or soaring, especially 

 in carrion-feeders. They generaUy seize and carry 

 their prey in their feet, which are stretched out 

 behind in flight, the neck being drawn in. 



Note. — Usually harsh, a yelp or scream, sometimes 

 a whistle. They are noisy when pairing, but usually 

 quiet at other times. 



Disposition and Habits. — They are more or less fierce, 

 but many less so than might be supposed, being 

 often inoffensive unless urged by hunger ; but few 

 are sociable ; chiefly carrion- or insect-feeders. 



Economic Qualities. — In spite of the bad name they 

 have they are generally useful birds, by destroying 

 vermin ; the Goshawks and Sparrow-hawks 

 (Accipiter, Asiur) seem almost the only forms 

 which are mainly noxious. Some are useful 

 scavengers. 



Captivity. — Almost all bear this well, and several are, 

 and long have been, used in hunting ; but they 

 seldom breed in captivity. The chief species used 

 in falconry are the Peregrine and Goshawk. 



Distribution and Important Species. — Some or 

 other of the species of this family, about four 

 hundred and fifty in number, are found every- 

 where, many being migratory. Two main groups 

 seem recognizable : the Vultures, always large, 

 and usually bald or downy on top of the head, 

 and with weaker hind-toes ; these are conhned 



