BIRDS OF PREY, L225 
CHAPTER XIII. 
BIRDS OF PREY. 
“213, Tumre are about five thousand known species of 
birds. They are classified mostly according to the form- 
ation of their beaks and feet, these being parts which in- 
dicate the diet and the habits. There are two grand di- 
visions of Birds—Land Birds and Water Birds. Of the 
Land Birds there are five orders: 1. Raptores (rapio, to 
seize), Birds of Prey. 2. Insessores (insido, to sit), 
Perchers. 3. Scansores (scando, to climb), Climbers. 4. 
Rasores (7ado, to scratch), Scratchers. 5. Cursores (cwr- 
vo, to run), Runners. There are two orders of Water 
Birds: 1. Grallatores (gralle, stilts), Waders. 2. Nata- 
tores (natator, a swimmer), Swimmers. 
214. The Raptores, or Raveners, have bills which are 
stout, sharp-edged, and sharp-pointed. The upper bill, 
or mandible (mando, to eat), is longer than the lower, 
forming a pointed hook with which the bird tears its 
prey. It also has a notch on each edge, which obviously 
can render assistance in tearing. The legs are short and 
stout, being very muscular, and the feet have four toes 
with strong claws or talons. Three of these claws are in 
front and one in the rear. In 
Fig. 104 are represented the 
eak and talons of a bird of 
prey. The strength of wing 
of the Raptores is adapted to 
their habits and their modes 
Fig. 104.—Claw and Beak ofa Bird Of taking their food. Thus 
ae: the Eagle, that pounces down 
upon its prey, has great strength and breadth of wing ; 
while the Owl, which appr oaches its prey sly ly and noise- 
lessly, has comparatively small and feeble wings. 
