88 ACCIPITRES. 



powerful of the whole, are found only in the extreme north, 

 or in other parts of the country as mere stragglers. 



FALCONS (Falco). 



The old division of nolle and ignoble hawks, which was so 

 well understood when falconry was a general field sport, is 

 still of considerable use in distinguishing the species and also 

 the habits of birds of prey. The noble hawks are long- 

 winged, and have the second quill the longest, but it is sup- 

 ported to nearly its tip by the first, so that the point of the 

 wing is peculiarly strong. These may be considered as the 

 perfection of mechanism in birds, more powerful in the air 

 than any others ; and the daring of the larger ones is equal 

 to the means with which they are provided for putting that 

 daring into execution. The ignoble hawks have the wings 

 differently formed. They are, in general, shorter, and the 

 third or fourth feather is the longest. As British birds they 

 are more numerous and varied than the former ; and com- 

 prehend, among others, the eagles, which, though less gallant 

 on the wing, are, all things considered, the most powerful of 

 birds. 



The popular distinctions are, however, better for simple 

 description, and certainly not worse for scientific purposes. 

 According to it the divisions are, FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, 

 KITES, HARRIERS, and BUZZARDS, all easily distinguishable 

 from each other by their forms, their modes of flight, and 

 many of their habits. 



FALCONS. 



The beak of the Falcon is short, very thick, and strong, 

 the upper mandible bent from the base, and with a prominent 

 tooth toward the tops, which fit into a notch in the under 

 mandible. The tarsi are short, and they and the toes are 



