PERCHING BIKDS. 139 



white plumage, from which it gets its name, makes it a 

 very beautiful animal. But its loud voice is very terrific 

 in the cheerless solitudes which it inhabits. It seeks its 

 prey in the daytime, darting upon them from above, and 

 seizing them with its stout talons, its victims being 

 hares, various birds, and sometimes fish. 



Questions. How many known species of Birds are there ? In what 

 way are they classified ? What are the two divisions of Birds ? What 

 are the orders of Land-birds ? What of the Water-birds ? Describe 

 the characteristics of the Kaptores. What is said of their habits? 

 What of their plumage ? Of their voice ? Into what families is this 

 order divided ? What is said of the true Falcons ? What of the 

 Gyrfalcon ? What of the sport of Falconry ? What is the distinc- 

 tion between noble and ignoble birds of prey ? What is said of the 

 Golden Eagle ? What of the Eagle's nest ? What of its return to 

 it? What of its food ? What is said of the Osprey ? What of the 

 Bald Eagle ? What does Franklin say of it ? What is said of the 

 Secretary Bird ? How do the Hawks differ from the Falcons ? What 

 is said of the Goshawk ? What is said of the Kites ? What of the 

 American Swallow-tailed Kite? What is said of the Buzzards? 

 How does the office of the Vultures differ from that of the Falcon 

 family ? Where do they live ? What peculiarities of appearance do 

 they present ? What is said of the Condor ? What of the Turkey 

 Buzzard ? What of the Bearded Vulture ? What are the peculiari- 

 ties of the Owls ? What are their habits ? What is said of the Barn 

 Owl ? What of the Snowy Owl ? 



CHAPTER XIV. 



PERCHING BIRDS. 



235. THE second order of land-birds, that of the In- 

 sessores, or Perchers, is the most numerous and varied 

 of all the orders. It includes all the tribes living in 

 trees, with the exception of the rapacious birds and the 

 climbers. Other birds perch, but the birds of this or- 

 der have their feet formed especially for this. The toes 

 are three before and one behind, the latter being on 

 the same level with the others. They are slender and 



