VULTURID/E. 



. 



Falrones, Pandiones, and Striges; four families, viz. :- 



SSL and Strigid*, and these again into nine sub-famiUes . The 



of 7 (seven) only occur in India, the exceptions being the Polybormae and 



Sarcoramphinse. 



The following is the division of the Accipitres : * 

 SUB-ORDER Falcones. 

 Family Vulturidae. 



Sub-Family Vulturinae. 

 Family Falconidae. 



Sub-Family Accipitrinae, 

 Buteoninae. 



Aquilinse. 



Falconinae. 



SUB-ORDER Pandiones. 

 SUB-ORDER. Striges. 

 Family Bubonidae. 

 Sub-Family Buboninae. 

 Syrniinae. 



Family Strigidae. 



These comprise the Vultures, the Falcons, and the Owls, the two former are 

 diurnal, and the latter nocturnal birds of prey. 



SUB-ORDER FALCONES. 



Toes without feathers ; outer toe not reversible ; eyes lateral ; cere soft and 

 fleshy, generally not hidden by bristles. Facial disk none. Plumage compact. 



Family VULTURED^E VULTURES. 



Upper mandible not toothed, sometimes sinuate. Head and neck more or 

 less bare or clothed only with short down. No true feathers on crown of head. 



Sub- Family VULTURINvE, VULTURES PROPER. 



Nostrils not perforated. 1st quill short, $rd and 4th subequal, 4th longest ; 

 tarsi reticulate. 



These are the scavengers of nature wherever they occur, especially in hot 

 countries where putrefaction is rapid. Their food imparts to them a foetid 

 odour, which, according to some writers, is a means of defence, for, if seized 

 during the torpid inactivity which succeeds their meals, they disgorge the nau- 

 seous contents of their craw over the luckless captor in order that he may 

 quickly and loathingly relinquish his hold. 



