66 



BIRDS BIRDS OF PREY DIAGRAM 4 



pursuing falcon darts upon them, and splits their skull with a 

 blow of its beak. The falcons generally used for the chase are 

 the jerfalcon, and the peregrine falcon. The last, which is 

 commoner, is nearly as large as a buzzard. 



The eagles only inhabit mountainous countries ; and they 



generally make their 

 nests among the rocks. 

 These are constructed 

 of branches roughly 

 heaped up on the 

 ground; and this is 

 called the eagle's eyry. 

 Head of Eagle. Some eagles are strong 



enough to carry off lambs, and could even carry off little 

 children. This, although it has sometimes happened, is 

 fortunately very unusual. 



VULTURES. The vultures 'inhabit warm countries, and have 

 only been noticed in Britain on one or two occasions. They can 

 be attracted from a great distance by the smell of carrion. 

 They do not usually feed on fresh-killed prey, and eat only dead 



animals. Some are very 



Head of Vulture. 



They have a 

 hooked beak like the 

 falcons, but not so strong ; 

 their claws also are less 

 curved, and they settle 

 more frequently on the 

 ground. They are re- 

 markable for having the neck bare of feathers. To the family 

 of the vultures belongs the condor, which has the highest flight 

 of all birds, and is seen to soar above the highest mountains of 

 America. 



OWLS. The owl family includes several species which have a 

 great general resemblance. These are also carnivorous birds, as 

 is shown by their curved beaks, and talons like those of falcons ; 



