Birds of Prey 



sharp, decurved nails or talons, indicate the extreme of ferocity 

 among the feathered tribes. Small mammals, reptiles, batra- 

 chians, and insects make up a far larger proportion of this 

 family's food than birds and poultry, although agriculturists 

 generally little appreciate its great service in protecting their 

 crops. Solitary birds of freedom, they hold themselves high 

 aloof from the world; nevertheless, eagerly vigilant, their won- 

 derfully acute eyes keep constantly alert for food. Flocks are 

 occasionally seen, but in the act of migrating only, for they are 

 not truly gregarious, like vultures. Some species remain mated for 

 life, and become strongly attached to a nesting site, where they 

 return year after year, a pair preempting an entire neighborhood. 



Swallow-tailed Kite 



Marsh Hawk or Harrier 



Sharp-shinned Hawk 



Cooper's Hawk 



American Goshawk 



Red-tailed Hawk 



Red-shouldered Hawk 



Swainson's Hawk 



Broad-winged Hawk 



Rough-legged Hawk 



Golden Eagle 



Bald Eagle 



Duck Hawk 



Pigeon Hawk 



American Sparrow Hawk 



American Osprey, or Fish Hawk 



Barn Owls 



(Family Strigidcc) 



A broad, triangular, facial disc; a jagged edged middle toe 

 nail, and some peculiarities of bone structure, separate thes2 

 birds from the other owls. They have also very long, pointed 

 wings, reaching beyond the tail; soft, downy, speckled plum- 

 age; legs feathered to toes; extremely acute, long claws, and 

 comparatively small eyes among other outer characteristics; but 

 in habits they differ little from their kin. 



American Barn, or Monkey-faced Owl 

 302 



