The Feet of Birds. 43 



their formidable talons, as generally at one blow to disable their 

 prey. It is invariably the claw of the hind toe by which this 

 severe stroke is effected, and for this purpose the beak is never 

 used at all, though many people have erroneous impressions to 

 the contrary. Hushing down with the velocity of lightning, and 

 with closed pinions, the falcon makes its deadly swoop from 

 above on the selected prey, and striking with the hind toe in 

 darting past, inflicts the deadly wound in a most masterly 

 manner, seldom missing its aim or failing in the stroke. Some- 

 times, too, the back of the unfortunate victim is seen to be deeply 

 scored throughout its whole length, while not unfrequently the 

 skull is completely riven and the brains dashed out by the 

 amazing impetus of the blow. But should the aim be by some 

 mischance incorrect, then rising again and sailing round in 

 circles, and so getting higher and higher at every turn, the falcon 

 again prepares for a charge, while the unhappy bird whose life is 

 so endangered seems instinctively to know wherein its best 

 chance of escape lies, and perceiving that an attack can only be 

 made from above, soars as high as its strength enables it. 

 Seldom, however, does the manoeuvre succeed, and the second 

 swoop of the aggressor rarely fails to send the quarry headlong 

 and lifeless to the ground. For inflicting such a wound, no more 

 perfect instrument can be conceived than the falcon's foot, so 

 strong, hard, and muscular, with claws so sharp, powerful, and 

 curved. With these weapons they can not only provide them- 

 selves food, but with the same instruments can grasp and carry 

 it off to their eyries, though it be of considerable weight. The 

 nature of the prey, too, so obtained and borne away varies not a 

 little, according to the genera comprising this extensive family ; 

 for fish, flesh, and fowl are all attacked by these rapacious birds. 

 The eagles can master a full-sized hare or a lamb; the osprey 

 will plunge into the river, and emerge again with a quivering 

 salmon firmly clutched in its talons ; the true falcons, the hawks, 

 the buzzards, and the harriers, content themselves with the 

 smaller birds and quadrupeds, and some species vary their diet 

 with reptiles ; but they all seize and bear off their prey with 



