CHAPTER XI. 



Family FalCOIlidse. Diurnal tiirds of Prey, 



The birds of this family are thus characterized. The eyes 

 look laterally, the disk is lacking, or exists in an imperfect 

 condition, the after-shaft present with a single exception, 

 and the external toe non-versatile, except in Pandion, and not 

 shorter than the internal toe. Generally the eyes are sunken 

 beneath a superciliary shelf that projects, giving them a de- 

 cidedly menacing aspect. The external ears are of moderate 

 size and devoid of an operculum. The bill is highlv rap- 

 torial, and provided with a cere which is pierced by the 

 nostril. The lores, with occasional exceptions, are sparely 

 invested with radiating bristles, instead of the thick closely 

 pressed mass which characterizes the Strigidce. The feet 

 are powerful, toes highly separable and contractile, and 

 claws, large, sharp and curved. The toes are ordinarily 

 scabrous on the inferior surface, with wart-like cushions at 

 the articulations, and commonly webbed at the base. The 

 entire tarsus is often feathered, but only partially so in most 

 cases ; the horny covering assuming various conditions. The 

 gullet is capacious and crop-like ; gizzard, moderately 

 muscular; intestines changeful, and Cd^ca quite small. The 

 syrinx is furnished with but a single pair of intrinsic muscles. 



The members of this family are found in all parts of the 

 globe, and are to the residue of their class, what the Carnivora 

 are to the Mammalia. This family, in round numbers, em- 

 braces 1000 specific and 200 generic names. All sub-divis- 

 ions of the family are so exceptionable, that Dr. Cones docs 

 not consider it advisable to avail himself thereof in his system 

 of classification. 



