THE BIRDS 299 



waters, as is also the Black-necked Swan (C. melanocory) of South 

 Brazil, Chili and Patagonia. 



With the exception of our domesticated species most Geese 

 and Ducks are winter visitors to Britain, though some stay to 

 breed in its waters. The Bean Goose comes from the tundras 

 of north-east Russia, the Brent Goose from the far north, and the 

 Bernacle Goose, numerous on the west coasts during the cold 

 season, is a migrant from Greenland and the northern parts of 

 Europe. 



Amongst the Ducks frequenting British shores are the Mallard 

 or Wild Duck (Anas boscas), the Shoveller (Spatula clypeata), the 

 Pochard (Nyroca ferina), the Scoter (Oedemia nigra), and the Red- 

 breasted Merganser (Mergina senator). The Eider Duck (Somateria 

 mollissima), noted for the down the mother bird plucks from her 

 breast to cover her eggs in the breeding season, inhabits the rocky 

 coasts of Norway, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands, where the col- 

 lecting of down is an important occupation. Occasionally the 

 bird breeds on the northern coast of Scotland, but it is more 

 generally a winter visitor. 



The diurnal birds of prey, from their great size and strength 

 and dominating ways, were placed by the older naturalists at the 

 head of all birds ; but from this proud position they have been 

 deposed by later authorities, their place being taken by the Passeres 

 or perching birds, the most highly developed order of the class 

 Aves. 



In the bird kingdom the vultures, eagles, and hawks take the 

 place of the lions, tigers, hyenas, and jackals of the mammalian 

 world ; all are of carnivorous habits, preying upon their own kind, 

 reptiles, and the smaller mammals. Some eagles will attack large 

 animals, such as deer and ponies, and vultures are chiefly carrion 

 feeders. 



The birds of prey are grouped together in the order 

 Falconiformes, and the order is divided into two sub-orders, the 

 first containing the New World vultures (Catharta), and the 

 second the Old World vultures, eagles, hawks, falcons, ospreys, 

 and the secretary bird (Accipitres). 



The New World Vultures range through tropical and temperate 

 America. They are mostly large birds, some of immense size, 

 with great, strong wings, and powerful, hooked though blunt bills ; 



