94 



THE ANIMAL KINGDOM. 



vertically across the eye, and protects that organ from 

 injury in flying amongst foliage ; but being semi-trans- 

 parent, the sight is not obstructed. 

 Birds are divided into 



Raptores. Birds of prey may be divided into diurnal, 

 or such as fly by day, and nocturnal, or such as seek their 

 prey by night. 



The Diurnal Bap tores comprehend the Falcons and 

 Vultures. 



The true Falcons, from which this group derives its 

 name, are bold and daring birds ; their skeleton is very 

 strong in proportion to its lightness, 

 and their sight is exceedingly acute. 

 The true Falcons were formerly 

 called noble birds of prey because 

 they were trained for falconry, which 

 was termed a noble sport, whilst 

 others were called ignoble birds. 

 The birds of prey strike their vic- 

 tims with their talons, which, you 

 will see from the annexed drawing 

 of the foot of a Falcon (Fig. 50), 

 are well adapted for their office. 

 The Peregrine Falcon is noted for 

 the rapidity of its flight. It has been known, according to 

 Dr. Carpenter, to have travelled from Fontainebleau to 



Fig. 50. 



