

334 



BIRDS OF PREY. 



of South Africa and North America as examples. 



The bird however, comes less into conflict with the 

 human invader than the beast ; and therefore in many 

 cases, the bird has maintained its position where the 

 other has perished. It does not break down the farmer's 

 fences, nor eat up his grass like the quadruped; and 

 if they partake of his cereal grain, birds compensate for 

 much of the harm they do by the destruction of insect 

 enemies, the most to be dreaded of all the farmer's 

 foes. 



Partly as one of the results of this species of mutual co- 

 operation as we have already pointed out, is the tendency 

 of many kinds of birds to congregate in the vicinity of 

 human abodes. In the South African Veld and else- 

 where, therefore, the neighbourhood of towns and 

 villages is often marked by the increased numbers 

 of the different kinds of birds of prey, which likewise 

 follow the advance of the human tide. These birds, 

 which are generally seen hovering near such places, 

 may be divided into two classes : those that prey upon 

 the living creature, like the hawk and the kestrel; 

 and those that feed upon carrion or the remains of 

 creatures whose vitality has departed from other causes ; 

 while some few of them, like the kite, probably 

 combine both capacities. They will kill game for 

 themselves when opportunity offers, or feed upon a 

 dead carcase, if it comes in their way. 



All these birds are distinguished by the same sort 

 of flight which is characteristic of birds of prey, sailing 

 to and fro in the higher atmosphere in long circles 

 with extended and apparently motionless wings. This 

 is the method of hunting which, we may say, is 

 adopted by them all; and as they slowly sail aloft^ 



