286 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
curved beak, with the upper mandible, in the most typical species, 
deeply notched, and therefore well adapted for seizing and cutting 
up the prey; strong feet and toes, with long, curved, sharp 
talons for striking the prey and firmly holding it; and a specialised 
form of sternum or breast-bone with a deep keel for the attach- 
ment of the pectoral muscles which move the wings, and give 
these birds that superior power of flight which excites the wonder 
and admiration of all who witness it. In nearly all the species 
the female is larger than the male, and consequently more 
powerful. 
The present occasion does not admit of my discussing at 
any length the different systems of classification which have 
been proposed for the birds of prey, nor of describing in 
detail the various modifications of structure observable in the 
very numerous species which are included in this order. But 
inasmuch as the species which are capable of being trained 
and employed for hawking form but a small proportion of the 
birds of prey, it is desirable to comprehend at the outset the 
position which they occupy in relation to the remaining species 
in the order. ‘This will be best understood by glancing at 
the following tables. 
Until a comparatively recent date, the order Accipitres was 
generally divided into the families Vultwride, or Vultures, 
characterised by their naked heads, terrestrial and sluggish habits, 
and predilection for carrion; Falconide, or Falcons, Hawks, 
Eagles, and other diurnal birds of prey, distinguished by their 
feathered heads, great speed upon the wing, and eminently 
predatory habits; and Strigide, or Owls, characterised by having 
the eyes directed forward instead of laterally, and by their 
nocturnal habits. It has been pointed out, however, by Professor 
Huxley, in a paper published in the ‘ Proceedings’ of this Society 
(1867), that the so-called family Vulturide was an unnatural 
association of members of two very distinct families, viz., the 
Cathartide, or American Vultures, on the one hand, and a group 
ot the Falconide (the Old World Vultures), on the other. He 
has also shown that the Secretary-bird (Serpentarius reptilivorus), 
previously included amongst the Falconide, is in reality the sole 
representative of a very distinct family which he has named Gypo- 
geranide, but which might with more simplicity have been termed 
Serpentarude. 
