FAMILIES FALCONIDiE AND ACCIPITRID^E 



28-29. Families FALCONID^E and 

 ACCIPITRIDjE 



The Hawks, Eagles and Their Allies 



These two families are here treated to- 

 gether since their members are all included in 

 one family (Falconidce) in most books. In 

 the classification of Miller and Wetmore, (see 

 the Auk for July, 1926, pp. 337-346), the 

 Falconidse include only the falcons and the 

 genus Polyborus (the latter not found in the 

 Canal Zone) the remaining forms constituting 

 the family Accipitridce. 



These birds of prey are so distinct in ap- 

 pearance and habits that no lengthy descrip- 

 tion is needed. Their predacious mode of 

 life demands that they have size, strength, 

 activity, and powers of flight superior to the 

 creatures on which they live. 



They are therefore, with comparatively 

 few exceptions, rather large birds, some of 

 them very large. Their colors afe never 

 brilliant, but the plumage is often hand- 

 somely variegated. The bill is short and 

 sharply hooked at the end for use in tearing 

 up their prey; it is provided with a tumid, 

 soft portion called the cere at the basal part 

 of the upper mandible. The feet, which are 

 developed into powerful talons, not the bill, 

 are used in catching and carrying their 

 prey. 



The numerous members of these families 

 are found in all parts of the world. It is one 

 of the most difficult groups for the bird 

 student, as most of the species are wary and 



123 



