CHOKDATA 



34 5 



Suborder 4. Accipitres 



The Accipitres (Lat. accipiter, bird of prey) are the diurnal 

 birds of prey, characterized by the hooked beak and the sharp 

 claws or talons on their toes, three of which arc directed for- 

 ward; the feet are not webbed. They feed entirely upon other 

 animals, and are remarkable for their strength and power ol 



FIG. 340. Ardea herodias, the great blue heron. (From a photograph providi 

 American Museum ot Natural History.) 



flight; their sight is extraordinarily keen. The female bird is 

 often larger and stronger than the male. There is great varia- 

 tion in size in this group, the extremes being the small falcons, 

 not over fifteen centimeters in length, and the vultures, with an 

 expanse of wing of over four meters and a weight of ten kilos. 



