BIRDS OF PREY. 



CHAPTER XIII. 



BIRDS OF PREY. 



213. THERE are about five thousand known species ot 

 birds. They are classified mostly according to the form- 

 ation of their beaks and feet, these being parts which in- 

 dicate the diet and the habits. There are two grand di- 

 visions of Birds Land Birds and Water Birds. Of the 

 Land Birds there are five orders : 1 . Raptores (rapio, to 

 seize), Birds of Prey. 2. Insessores (insido, to sit), 

 Perchers. 3. Scansores (scando, to climb), Climbers. 4. 

 Rasores (rado^to scratch), Scratchers. 5. Cursores (cur- 

 ro, to run), Runners. There are two orders of Water 

 Birds: 1. Grallatores (grallce, stilts), Waders. 2. Nata- 

 tores (natator, a swimmer), Swimmers. 



214. The Raptores, or Raveners, have bills which are 

 stout, sharp-edged, and sharp-pointed. The upper bill, 

 or mandible (mando, to eat), is longer than the lower, 

 forming a pointed hook with which the bird tears its 

 prey. It also has a notch on each edge, which obviously 

 can render assistance in tearing. The legs are short and 

 stout, being very muscular, and the feet have four toes 

 with strong claws or talons. Three of these claws are in 



front and one in the rear. In 

 Fig. 104 are represented the 

 beak and talons of a bird of 

 prey. The strength of wing 

 of the Raptores is adapted to 

 their habits and their modes 

 of taking their food. Thus 

 the Eagle, that pounces down 

 upon its prey, has great strength and breadth of wing ; 

 while the Owl, which approaches its prey slyly and noise- 

 lessly, has comparatively small and feeble wings. 



Fig. 104. Claw and Beak of a Bird 

 of Prey. 



