606 EAPTOEES, OE BIEDS OF PEEY. 



of a tuft on the back of the head. This latter feature, although 

 general, is not, however, common to all the species. 



These birds generally inhabit the vast forests of Africa and 

 South America. They are admirably organised for strife and 

 slaughter, and are the terror of every creature in their neigh- 

 bourhood. 



The HUPPART (Falco occipitalis, Daudin), thus named on account 

 of its huppe, or tuft, which is about six inches long, is a native of 

 Africa, and feeds on Hares, Ducks, and Partridges. It also pursues 

 Crows, for which it feels a deadly hatred, as these birds sometimes 

 league together to deprive it of its prey, and even to devour its 

 brood. It will not suffer any rival in its domain, but accords pro- 

 tection to small birds which come near to its nest to seek a shelter 

 from the attacks of inferior birds of prey. 



The Falco urubitinga (Gmelin) inhabits Brazil and Guiana ; it is 

 eminently wild and taciturn, and builds its nest in the vicinity 

 of marshes. It feeds on birds, small mammals, reptiles, and even 

 fish. 



The HARPY, or DESTRUCTIVE EAGLE of South America (Harpyia 

 destructor, Cuv.), Fig. 284, is the model species of the genus. It 

 is the most formidable of the whole tribe of Eagles ; for it is larger, 

 measuring nearly five feet from the extremity of the head to that 

 of the tail ; its bill is more than two inches in length ; and its 

 claws and toes are longer and more robust than the fingers of 

 a man. It is rumoured that the Harpy does not fear to attack car- 

 nivora of large size, and even men. Two or three blows from 

 its bill are sufficient to break its victim's skull. In order to 

 render these assertions worthy of belief they should be confirmed 

 by those who have enjoyed opportunities for observation. 



Be this as it may, there is no doubt that Harpies are endowed 

 with extraordinary strength. D'Orbigny relates that at the time 

 of an exploring expedition on the banks of the Rio Securia, in 

 Bolivia, he met with a Harpy of large size. The Indians who 

 accompanied him pursued it, pierced it with two arrows, and gave 

 it numerous blows on the head. At length, thinking it was dead, 

 they plucked off the greater part of its feathers, and even the 

 down also, placing it afterwards in their canoe. What was the 

 surprise of the naturalist when the bird recovered from its stupe- 



