324 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1923 



A number of exotic eagles and vultures, some of which are of 

 great size, share this cage with the American eagles. The lammer- 

 geier {Gypaetus barbatus), or bearded vulture, is a large species 

 connecting in many features the eagles with the vultures. It is a 

 native of the higher mountains of Europe, north Africa, and Asia, 

 and many tales of its boldness and strength have been told. The 

 griffon vulture {Gyps fulvus) and the cinereous vulture {Aegypius 

 monachus) are two conspicuous Old World species kept in this cage. 

 During the early spring months the griffon vultures become very 

 savage and sometimes attack their cage mates — even the eagles are 

 made to suffer on these occasions unless the griffons are removed 

 from the cage. Two specimens of the handsome wedge-tailed eagle 

 {Uroaetus audax) of Australia are kept in this cage. Because it 

 eats the poisoned meat-baits thrown out by the ranchers to destroy 

 the wild dogs, this characteristic Australian bird is said to be rapidly 

 diminishing in numbers, and is in danger of extermination. 



INTERESTING EAPTOBES IN THE BIBD HOUSE 



Several interesting specimens of eagles and vultures are to be seen 

 in the bird house. The secretary bird {Sagittarius serpentarius) is 

 a peculiar African type with long legs, tail, and wings, and a crest 

 of elongated feathers at the back of the head. In appearance it is 

 very cranelike, and is expert in the killing of snakes, lizards, and small 

 mammals. 



The harpy eagle {Thrasa'etos harpyia) is a tropical American 

 species famous for its strength and spectacular appearance. It is a 

 large species with a long, barred tail, a fine crest, an enormous beak, 

 and powerful feet. It is said to kill fawns, monkeys, and peccaries. 

 The park is proud of its record in having kept a fine specimen of this 

 bird for 18 years. 



The caracara {Polyborus cheriway) or " carrion hawk " is com- 

 mon in parts of tropical America and ranges northward to Florida. 

 Other related species are known from South America. 



Various North American and exotic hawks are also on exhibition. 

 The red-tailed hawk {Buteo borealis) is one of the common species 

 of the United States which, with other kinds, is much persecuted as 

 a " chicken hawk." As a matter of fact this bird rarely kills chickens 

 and is an industrious destroyer of noxious rodents. One of the 

 smaller species shown is the sparrow hawk {Falco sparverius), a 

 pretty and valuable species which eats many grasshoppers, mice, and 

 other pests of the farmer. Cooper's hawk {Accipiter cooperi), an- 

 other of the smaller species of America, is more destructive to poultry 

 and birds. 



