THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 35 



DIURNAL BIRDS OF PREY (Falconidce). 



DIAGNOSIS. Perching birds, with rather short hooked 

 beaks with a cere at base, and the two outer front 

 toes united by web at the base. 



SIZE. From that of a sparrow to larger than a goose. 



FORM. Bill medium or short, strongly hooked, often 

 toothed at the tip, base softer and waxy-looking 

 (the cere), corner of mouth reaching nearly or quite 

 below eye ; feet with shanks medium or short, 

 often feathered ; toes, three in front, the outer two 

 usually united by a web at the base, one behind, 

 all armed with strong claws, often very long and 

 sharp ; wings variable, short to very long, rounded 

 or pointed ; tail short to long, usually nearly 

 square, but sometimes rounded, wedge-shaped, 

 or forked. Head usually large and broad, neck 

 generally short, body light, with legs and thighs 

 prominent and clothed with long feathers. 



PLUMAGE AND COLOURATION. Plumage never brilliant, 

 greys and browns predominating ; many species 

 marked with transverse bars in some parts ; sexes 

 seldom different in colour, though females are gener- 

 ally distinguishable by their superior size. No 

 seasonal change, but young plumage generally 

 different from that of adults. 



YOUNG. Helpless, and fed by parents, clothed in 

 fluffy down, which generally is pale usually white 

 without markings. 



NEST. An open structure of sticks, placed on trees, 

 rocks, or the ground. A few breed in holes in 

 trees, etc. 



EGGS. One, two, or several ; white or blotched with 

 red. 



INCUBATION. Three to four weeks. 



COURTSHIP. The male often gives the female food, but 

 I have never seen any display. 



