BIRDS BIRDS OF PREY DIAGRAM 4. 



05 



the pelicans, the ducks, tlie swans, the geese, the penguins, and 

 'the auks. 



7th. The Order of Strutliiones Birds. This order includes the 

 Ostrich, the Emeu, the Casoar, the Moa, and the Apteryx. 



ORDER OP BIRDS OF PREY, OR RAPTORES. 



FALCONS. The family of Falcons also includes the eagles, the 

 hawks, the sparrow-hawks, the kites, and the buzzards. All are 

 formidable animals to rabbits, partridges, larks, and the various 

 small birds which eat insects, and 

 they are therefore enemies which 

 always ought to be destroyed. 

 They are called birds of prey in the 

 strict sense ; they have a hooked 

 beak, and very strong and pointed 

 claws, called talons, with which 

 they seize their prey ; and they kill 

 them, and tear them to pieces 

 with their beak. In some countries 

 falcons are still used for the chase ; 

 and falconry used formerly to be a 

 very favourite amusement in Eng- 

 land. The falcons are trained with- 

 out much difficulty, and then car- 

 ried to the chase on the wrist. Their 

 head is covered with a hood, which 

 prevents their seeing; and when the 

 game is in sight, the falconer takes 

 off the falcon's hood, and shows him 

 the prey. Other birds, such as the 

 heron, hares, and even larger Falcon hooded, 



animals, can also be chased by the falcon. It darts upon 



