48 DIVISION I. VERTEBRAL ANIMALS.—CLASS II. AVES. 
ORDER ACCIPITRES. BIRDS OF PREY. 
Tus order, one of the largest and most interesting, contains a great vari- 
ety of forms, which are scattered over all portions of the globe. 
The birds of prey are divided into two sections, — the diurnal and noc- 
turnal, — which are characterized as follows : — 
Section DIURNI. 
( not larger than claw of median anterior toe. Claws obtuse. Head 
ACCIPITRES. | lateral. Claw of] | more or less WakCdsssssssssrcesesessecscesacsecsuccascseesscusaesees Venrenm.s, Sun. 
Eyesessecseoee posterior toe.. ) larger than claw of median unterior toc. Claws acute. Head feath- 
ered . sees O33. FALCONID.E, Sun. 
Section Nocrvurnt. 
directed forwards....ccccessssscvee ‘sale Salala'calwis's'ap sa eNsWatachaWuaNs Canines Wane caesvasauaends: od STRIGID.S, Sund. 
These families are subdivided into several groups, each with well-marked 
characters. 
ACCIPITRES. 
os Penere tai Sie - Ste mat less than anterior toes and inserted above the base. » Cathartine, De Latr. 
VULTURIDS, Hallux and its nail reer as long ag iNNCE tOCs.ssseeeee eee * Vulturine, Ulig. 
DOVWPAC e.sessccsvvcsscovscses » Gupactine, Bonap. 
B no col- (not in i 
= aur toothed. | — middle of tail rounded, reticulate. 4 . Polyborinw, Bonap. 
oe Anterior Outer toe L ve - Pandionvae, Bonap. 
not Lore covered Tail. } surface of 
& | bearded | With ss sees ) tarsi...... | feathered, or more 
= { Behind Wings , 
5 | ears....4 Bill 4 1 . Aquiline, Swains. 
c forked or emarginated « + Milvine, Bonap. 
pI AeNSe FeAtherss sees ccceeeeesceeeees seteeee » Perninw. 
= not passing beyond middle of tail. ‘Pwo median § « Guypogeranine, Bonap, 
& tail feathers....... alsturoue, G. Gray. 
_ toothed behind tip of upper man 
Falconer, Bonap. 
a more or less distinet collar, formed of feath 
» Cireine, Bonap. 
Surninse, Bonap. 
STRIGID.B. Aperture of carCabsent. Radiate facial urea incomplete 
with cutaneous lobe Or presi Radiate fa- @ rounded ...+..++ sorguee, Bouap. 
VALVE cocccssescccsccescscss cial area completes pointed below, subtrian vail of middle toe pee ; 
mated On Inner SIUC. +e eee cere eee ee eres Pereerresiresireee Hybridine. 
Famity Srricipnz. Tur Ow.s. 
OF the /yhridine, the Barn Owl of Europe is a type. 
This bird is spread throughout the temperate and warmer regions of Eu- 
rope. It is common in England and Ireland but less so in Seotland: in the 
northern latitudes of the continent it is not known. The Barn Owl con- 
ceals itself during the day in deep recesses among ivy-clad ruins, in antique 
church-towers, in the hollow of old trees, in barn-lofts, and similar places 
of seclusion. At night, it sallies forth for prey, which consists of mice, 
rats, moles, and shrews, but, we believe, never birds. Hence it is perse- 
cuted by the farmer in vain, who suspects that it thins his dove-cot, and little 
knows the extent of the services which the bird renders to him. “If,” says 
Mr. Waterton, “ this useful bird caught its food by day, instead of hunting for 
it by night, mankind would have ocular demonstrations of its utility in thin- 
ning the country of mice, and it would be protected and encouraged every- 
where. When it has young, it will bring a mouse to the nest every 
twelve or fifteen minutes” (that is, during the night) ; and he adds, “ For- 
merly I could get very few young pigeons till the rats were excluded from the 
