300 ZOOLOGY. 



• 

 pine trees of that region ; and the eggs, two in number, are as large as those 

 of the goose. 



The well known Turkey Buzzard and the Carrion Crow belong to this genus. 

 Both are abundant in the southern states of North America, where they are 

 found to be so useful in the removal of dead animals as to be protected by law. 

 The former species (C aura, Linn.) inhabits the north, though sparingly, as 

 far as about latitude 41°. It makes its nest in the hollow stump of a tree ; its 

 eggs are about the size of those of a turkey, of a yellowish white color, with 

 dark brown and blacki.sh spots. The young are covered with down of a white 

 color, Avhich gives them a very singular appearance, and contrasts strongly 

 with the black plumage of their parents. 



There is a small species (C hurroviarnts, Cassin) which inhabits Mexico, 

 somewhat similar to the common species (C atratiis, Bertram), but is much 

 smaller. It is, in fact, the least of known vultures. America, therefore, pro- 

 duces the laro;est and smallest of the vultures of the world, which are the 

 condor and the bird here alluded to. Those birds of this genus found in great 

 numbers in South America Avere long supposed to be strictly identicnl Avith 

 those of the northern continent, but have recently been represented to be dif- 

 ferent ; they appear, however, to be strictly similar in their general characters 

 and habits, which are the same as those of all other vultures. 



Fam. 2. Falconida;. Size greatly varied, but generally moderate and 

 formed for rapid flight. Head and neck generally fully clothed ; bill 

 strongly curved and generally conspicuously toothed or festooned, very 

 acute. Claws generally very strong and exceedingly sharp, especially those 

 of the inner and hinder toes. Wings generally long ; tail moderately 

 broad. 



The Falconida, which include the Hawks, Eagles, Kites, and other genera 

 of similar general form and habits, exhibit the perfection of the rapacious 

 characters. They differ essentially from the vultures ; their forms are 

 more graceful and their courage much greater. Endowed with great swift- 

 ness and generally much boldness and cunning, and with beaks and claws 

 expressly adapted to such purpose, they prey almost exclusively upon animals 

 killed by themselves. The larger species feed upon quadrupeds, birds, and 

 reptiles ; a few upon fishes, and many of the smaller live exclusively upon 

 insects. The plumage varies greatly with sex and age, and maturity of 

 plumage is usually only attained in several years. The female is usually 

 fully one third larger than the male, and is frequently more vigorous 

 and rapacious. The young have generally elongated spots on the breast 

 and belly, where the adult has transverse bands or lines, or is un- 

 spotted. 



The FalconidcB vary in size greatly, the largest species, the Great Sea 

 Eagle of northern Asia and America [Ualiaetiis pelagrcus), being neai-ly the 

 size of the condor, and one of the largest of birds ; while the smallest, which is 

 the little Java Hawk {Hierax cceridescens), is scarcely superior in size to our 

 common bluebird. 



The geographic range of this family includes the whole world : it is in 

 tropical countries, Avhere life teems most profusely, that the species are 

 504 



