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6 CHARACTERISTICS OF NORTH-AMERICAN BIRDS. 
ORDER I.—RAPTORES. Rospers. 
The peculiarities already given of the order Raptores aie 
sufficient to define it among the others mentioned, although 
many additional features might be named. . The order em- 
braces three families, which are characterized by Keyserling 
and Blasius as follows : — 
A.— DiuRNAL Birps oF PREY. 
Eyes lateral, with lashes, surrounded by a naked or woolly orbi- 
tal circle ; the feathers above, below, and behind the eyes directed 
backwards, as on the rest of the head ; anterior to the eye, the lore 
imperfectly clothed with a radiating star of bristles, or with scale- 
like feathers. . The inner toe without the nail, shorter, or as long 
as the outer. Nostrils opening in the cere. 
VuLturiw#. — Bill contracted or indented on the anterior 
border of the cere, so that the culmen is bow-shaped, or ascending 
anterior to it. Eyes lying on a level with the sides of the head. 
Head sparsely covered with downy feathers only, or partially 
naked. Claws weak, rather slender, and only moderately curved ; 
the tarsi and bases of the toes reticulated. 
Faxtconip2£. — The bill not contracted, nor the culmen ascend- 
ing anterior to the cere. Eyes sunken. The head completely 
covered with compact, perfect feathers. Claws strong. 
B. — NocturNnAL Brirps or PREY. 
StrRicip£.— Eyes directed forwards; more or less completely 
surrounded by a crown of radiating bristly feathers. Lores and 
base of bill densely covered with bristly feathers directed forwards. 
The nostrils opening on the anterior edge of the cere. The inner 
toe without its claw longer than the outer, which is versatile. <A 
crown of peculiarly formed feathers on the side of the head and 
above the throat. Head fully feathered. Plumage very soft 
and downy. 
