26 THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 



FOOD. Almost exclusively animal, the larger species 

 preying more on vertebrates, the smaller more on 

 insects. Many are carrion-feeders. They hold 

 their prey in their feet when feeding, and cast pellets 

 of bones, feathers, hair, etc. 



GAIT. A walk or run, usually rather awkward. They 

 also hop at times, but this is not their ordinary 

 gait. 



FLIGHT. Powerful, but varying in speed ; there is 

 usually great power of gliding or soaring, especially 

 in carrion-feeders. They generally seize and carry 

 their prey in their feet, which are stretched out 

 behind in flight, the neck being drawn in. 



NOTE. Usually harsh, a yelp or scream, sometimes 

 a whistle. They are noisy when pairing, but usually 

 quiet at other times. 



DISPOSITION AND HABITS. They are more or less fierce, 

 but many less so than might be supposed, being 

 often inoffensive unless urged by hunger ; but few 

 are sociable ; chiefly carrion- or insect-feeders. 



ECONOMIC QUALITIES. In spite of the bad name they 

 have they are generally useful birds, by destroying 

 vermin ; the Goshawks and Sparrow-hawks 

 (Accipiter, Astur) seem almost the only forms 

 which are mainly noxious. Some are useful 

 scavengers. 



CAPTIVITY. Almost all bear this well, and several are, 

 and long have been, used in hunting ; but they 

 seldom breed in captivity. The chief species used 

 in falconry are the Peregrine and Goshawk. 



DISTRIBUTION AND IMPORTANT SPECIES. Some or 

 other of the species of this family, about four 

 hundred and fifty in number, are found every- 

 where, many being migratory. Two main groups 

 seem recognizable : the Vultures, always large, 

 and usually bald or downy on top of the head, 

 and with weaker hind-toes ; these are confined 



