PERCHING BIRDS. 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 Raptores. 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? Whatare their habits? What is said of the Barn 
Owl? What of the Snowy Owl? 
CHAPTER XIV. 
PERCHING BIRDS. = 
235. Tue 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 
