408 FAMILY FALCONID^E; LAMMERGEYER; HAWKS. 



weak and sickly of the flocks. It is said, however, to destroy 

 more powerful animals, by grappling with them at the edge of 

 some precipice or steep declivity, and forcing them down the 

 abyss ; and, when rendered desperate by hunger, this ravenous 

 Bird will even attack Man. Instead of carrying off its prey to 

 the nest, like the Eagle, the Lammergeyer gorges itself with the 

 carcass upon the spot ; removing only such parts as it destines 

 for the nourishment of its young. Its flight is sweeping and 

 majestic ; and it rises almost to the highest summits of the Alps, 

 when on the outlook for its prey. If it has fixed upon a living 

 animal, it darts down upon it in the manner of the Eagle ; but 

 if it be attracted by a carcass, it calmly descends to some 

 neighbouring crag, and then sets out for its repast, flying with 

 heavy wings at a short distance from the ground. A number 

 are usually attracted by the same object ; and feed, like the 

 Vultures, in harmony. The Lammergeyer is an inhabitant not 

 only of the high mountains of the Tyrol, Switzerland, and 

 Germany; but also of the mountain ranges of Africa and 

 "Western Asia. There are other species, belonging to the Eagle 

 tribe, which still more nearly approach the Vultures ; but these 

 it is not requisite to describe more particularly. 



372. The Hawks constitute another section of the Ignoble 

 Birds of Prey ; but, in many of their characters and habits, 

 they present a near approach to the Falcons. Indeed the Gos- 

 hawk was formerly among the most valued of the Falconer's 

 Birds : it does not rise upon its prey, however, after the manner 

 of the true Falcons ; but darts along near the ground with 

 arrow-like impetuosity, threading woods, glens, and ravines. 

 It was consequently flown at Birds that chiefly inhabit the 

 ground, such as Pheasants, Land-rails, Pigeons, &c., and also 

 at Hares ; and for this purpose it is still occasionally employed. 

 The beak of the Hawks resembles that of the Falcons in its 

 general form, being curved from the base ; but the wings are 

 shorter, and want the pointed tips which are characteristic 

 that division of the family. As is the case with the Falc 

 and Eagles, the most powerful Hawks are found in cold lati- 

 tudes ; but they are not so much Birds of the mountain, th< 



