14 BRITISH BIRDS, THEIR EGGS AND NESTS. 



fare, the Redvpvng, the Snow-Bunting, and others, besides several 

 of the Anatidx. We begin, therefore, with our first Order, the 



RAPTOKES. 

 FAMILY I. VULTUEID^E. 



Two members of this family, classed by some naturalists as 

 belonging to the same genus, by others as species of two different 

 genera, have been met with in Britain; out I believe one of 

 them, the first-named below, only once, the other only twice or 

 three times. They are only mentioned here as showing the 

 justification there is for claiming the family of Vulturidst as 

 being in anywise exemplified in oirds belonging to the British 

 Isles. 



1. GRIFFON VULTURE (Vultur Fulvus}. 



2. EGYPTIAN VULTURE (Neophron Percnoplerus]. 



FAMILY II. 



There are several species belonging to this family of suffi- 

 ciently common occurrence even still in these days of game- 

 preservers, game-keepers, and vermin-killers. 



Time was, and not so long since either, when many even of 

 those most rare now, were familiarly met with in almost all parts 

 of the country ; and Eagles and the Kite and several of the larger 

 and more conspicuous Falcon and Hawks were not yet become 

 so much like Black Swans, as they are now in so many English 

 and even Scottish counties. 



These birds differ, with a marked distinction, from those belong- 

 ing to the Vulture-kind ; and as much in habits and food and 

 power of wing as in appearance, formation, bill, and claws, and 

 other matters, such as the scientific naturalist notices for the 

 purpose of enabling himself and others to distinguish between 

 Family and family, genus and genus, species and species. 



Thus the Vulture's food is usually carrion ; the fiesh of animals 

 killed by other agency than their own, and in numberless in- 

 stances in a state of putridity more or less complete. 



The food of the Falcon tribe generally consists of the flesh of 

 creatures taken and killed by themselves. I say generally ; not 

 invariably. The Eagles in a state of nature do not disdain to 

 gorge themselves on the flesh of a dead sheep for instance, 

 although they have had no hand or rather beak and claw in the 

 death. Still the rule is, and admitting L.ot many exceptions when 

 the whole family is considered, that the Falconidae hunt for, or 

 surprise, and slay their prey for themselves. And very intent on 



