34 



greatly in size and form, though none are very large, and some 

 are beautifully colored. 



The Fruit Pigeons (family Carpophagidce) are especially remark- 

 able for their brilliant tints and striking contrasts of color. (See 

 Case P.) They number about two hundred species, and are chiefly 

 confined to Southeastern Asia, Australia, Madagascar, the Indian 

 Archipelago, and the Pacific Islands. 



Order XIX, the Acctpiires, or Birds of Prey, form a numerous 

 assemblage, represented everywhere, and include, if we admit 

 certain species here whose affinities are still questionable, quite 

 diverse forms. The order may be divided into five families, each 

 of which is also considered to have the value of a suborder. The 

 first of these {Cariamida;) consists of two species, found only in 

 South America, the Chunga and the Seriama. (See Case H.) 

 These birds curiously combine raptorial characters with certain 

 features of the Rails and Cranes, with or near which they are often 

 associated in systems of classification. Notwithstanding their 

 Crane-like form, late authorities grant them a place with the true 

 Birds of Prey. The strange Secretary Bird of South Africa (form- 

 ing the family Gypoi^eranidcr) is in similar case, though more gen- 

 erally considered a near ally of the Hawks and Vultures. (See 

 Case P.) 



The American Vultures (family Cathartidie) have so little in 

 common with the Vultures of the Old World that of late years 

 they have been separated from them as a distinct family. They 

 form a highly useful group of scavengers, numbering about eight 

 species, confined mainly to the tropical portions of America. 

 Among them are three of the largest Birds of Prey, the Condor 

 and King Vulture of South America (see Case I), and the Cali- 

 fornia Vulture (see Case C), each having an expanse of wing of 

 about twelve feet. 



The family Falcoiiidcv includes all of the remaining Diurnal 

 Birds of Prey (more than three hundred and fifty species), em- 

 bracing the true or Old World Vultures, the Eagles and Buzzards, 

 the Ospreys, the Harriers, the Kites, the Carrion-Buzzards, the 

 true Hawks, and the Falcons, each group, as here named, con- 

 stituting a separate subfamily. Of the true Vultures ( VulturiJice 



