Aves. 233 



The Doves. The doves are characterized by a soft, 

 swollen membrane, or cere, overhanging the nostrils at the 

 base of the bill. They are strong fliers, with heavy flying 

 muscles and small, weak legs. This is a small order. The 

 wild pigeon, formerly existing in countless numbers, is now 

 well-nigh extinct. The turtledove, or mourning dove, how- 

 ever, remains abundant in the Central and Western states, 

 finding abundant feed in the grain fields. 



The Birds of Prey. Birds of prey usually have stout, 

 hooked beaks and sharp, curved claws, fitting them for 

 clutching and tearing their prey. They do not have a 

 gizzard, not needing such a stomach for digesting flesh. 

 The colors are usually dull, the sexes generally being 

 colored alike. The females are usually larger than the 

 males. There are three principal forms of Raptores, illus- 

 trated by the hawk, the owl, and the vulture. 



The hawks are the best examples of the order. They are 

 keen-eyed, strong of wing and leg. There is much un- 

 grounded prejudice against them, for, with the exception 

 of Cooper's hawk and the sharp-shinned hawk, most of 

 them do more good than harm, killing large numbers of 

 mice, especially field mice. The eagles belong to the same 

 family (Falconidae) as the hawks. The so-called "bald- 

 headed eagle " is not bald ; but in old age the feathers of 

 the head and neck are white, making the name "white- 

 headed eagle " appropriate. The adult is smaller than the 

 younger eagle. This bird hardly deserves to be chosen as 

 the emblem of this country, as he is a notorious robber. 

 Often he perches, waiting and watching, till an osprey, or 

 fishhawk, has captured a fish ; then he swoops down upon 

 him and snatches away the prize. The golden eagle is a 

 distinct species, characterized by being full-feathered down 

 to the toes. 



