278 AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



RAPTORES, (LITERALLY, RODDERS.) 



The birds of this order are divided into two groups, the diurnal and the noc- 

 turnal Lirds of prey. The eap^les, hawks, &c., are included in the former, and 

 the owls in the latter. The diurnal birds of prey arc generally characterized 

 by their strong, hooked bill, and long, sharp, curved claM s, called talons ; lat- 

 eral eyes, "with lashes surrounded by a naked or woolly orbital circle ; the 

 feathers above, below, and behind the eyes directed backwards, as on the rest 

 of the head ;" nostrils opening in the cere. The owls are distinguished from 

 the others by their "eyes directed forwards," more or less completely sur- 

 rounded 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 ; a crown of peculiarly formed feathers on the side of 

 the head and above the throat ; head fully feathered ; plumage very soft and 

 downy." These characteristics are recognized by the most prominent orni- 

 thologists of the day. 



The diurnal birds of prey are divided into two families, Vulturidce, (vul- 

 tures,) and FalconidcB, (falcons.) The Vulturida are represented in this 

 country by but three or four species, of which only two are of any importance 

 to agriculture. They are the turkey buzzard, ( Catliartcs Aura, Linn.,) and the 

 carrion crow, (C. atratus, Bartram.) These are only beneficial as scavengers, 

 their food consisting of dead animal matter, usually in a state of decomposition. 

 These birds are mostly confined to the southern States, where they are pro- 

 tected in most districts by the usage of the people. In habits they are filthy 

 and indolent, and in cousequetice of their good treatment by man they are 

 much more familiar and tame than any of our other birds of prey. They are 

 not found in New England, and do not require a more extended mention here. 



In our FalconidcB are included all our falcons, hawks, and other diurnal birds 

 of prey. They are divided into numerous sub-families, of which the following 

 are of importance to agriculture : Falconidce, (falcons,) Accipitrina, (hawks,) 

 Butionirue, (buzzards,) Milvince, (kites, &c.,) and Aquil/fKB, (eagles.) In the 

 first of these sub-families are included our true falcons, of which the pigeon 

 hawk, fHi/pofriorckis columharius, Linn.,) and the sparrow hawk, ( Tlnnunculus 

 sparverius, Linn.,) are familiar types. These birds are of rapid flight, and 

 always seize their prey while on the wing. They accompany the migrations 

 of the other birds, and prefer wooded countries to the more open districts. They 

 cannot be called beneficial, as their food consists almost entirely of small birds 

 and sometimes reptiles. The Accipitrince includes our hawks, of which the 

 gos haw^k or slate-colored hawk, (Astur atricapillus, Bonap.,) and the sharp- 

 shinned hawk, ( Accijnter fuscus, I3on.,) are well-known representatives. The 

 birds, like the preceding species, are of powerful and rajjid flight. They are 

 generally resident with us throughout the year ; they subsist almost entirely 

 upon small birds, and are consequently injurious. The Buf.eonince or buzzards 

 of the United States are generally well known. The red-tailed buzzard or 

 hawk, (Buteo horcalls, Vieillot,) and the red-shouldered buzzard or winter 

 hawk, ( B. Lincatus, Jardine,) are well known in many districts by the name 

 of hen hawks. They are injurious, their food consisting chiefly of small birds 

 and reptiles, which they often seize w^hile on the wing, but generally pounce 

 upon from a tree or other elevated position. Their flight is usually a succession 

 of soaring sweeps, often at a great height. 



The birds of the 3IilinncB are beneticial. In this sub-family are placed our 

 kites and harriers. Of these, the swallow-tailed hawk, ( Kauclerus furcaUis, 

 Vigors,) and the marsh hawk, so well known and abundantly distributed 

 • throughout the continent, are familiar types. The former of these species sub- 

 sists almost entirely upon injurious insects, and the marsh hawk destroys 

 immense numbers of field mice, (Arvicolina,) which are found to be very 



