RAPTORES I FALCONIDjE. 123 



son, of the Southern States to Chili, is about twenty- 

 three inches long, and is abundant even in the cities^ 

 where it performs the important office of scavenger. 



Burrough's Vulture, C. Burrovianus, Cassin, of Mexico 

 and Lower California, is the smallest of the genus, be- 

 ing about twenty-two inches in length. 



The Genus Gypcetos comprises the Laemmergeyer of 

 the Alps and other high mountains of the Eastern hemi- 

 sphere, which is the largest bird of prey in the Old World, 

 being but little smaller than the Condor. It builds its 

 nests upon inaccessible acclivities, attacks lambs, goats, 

 and the chamois, and it is asserted that even infants have 

 been carried off by it. 



FALCONID.E, OR FALCON FAMILY. This Family com- 

 prises birds of prey which have the head completely cov- 

 ered with feathers, the eyes more or less . sunken, and 

 exceedingly sharp talons and powerful muscles. They 

 are adapted, both by their organization and courage, for 

 the capture of living prey, although in these respects 

 they differ greatly among themselves. 



The Genus Falco Falcons has the form robust and 

 compact ; the bill short and strongly curved from the 

 base to the point, near which is a distinct and generally 

 prominent tooth ; the nostrils circular, with a central 

 tubercle ; wings long and pointed ; tail long and wide ; 

 tarsi short and covered with circular or hexagonal scales, 

 and the middle toe long ; claws large, strong, curved, and 

 very sharp. The falcons are remarkable for exceedingly 

 rapid flight, and great boldness in attacking their prey. 

 They are the birds used in falconry, and several of the 

 species are extremely docile, being readily trained to pur- 

 sue game, and return at call. 



The Duck Hawk or Peregrine Falcon, F. anatum, Bo- 

 naparte, of North America east of the Rocky Mountains, 

 is eighteen to twenty inches long, the wings fourteen 



