BIRDS OF PREY. 



CATCHERS {Captantes). 



Under this head we class not only those members of the feathered race to which has been assigned, 

 par excellence, the name of Birds of Prey, but include with them such families of Swallows and song 

 birds as obtain the principal part of their food by the destruction of animal life. We are fully aware 

 of the difficulties presented by this attempt at a simple and natural classification, which, like many 

 similar efforts, must necessarily be very imperfect, and open to grave objection ; but we have adopted 

 it as rendering the general view of our subject more intelligible to the tyro in Ornithology. 



All the very various groups we have thus combined under the general name of Catchers are 

 endowed with powerful bodies and comparatively long wings, and, moreover, are remarkable for the 

 velocity and grace of their movements through the air. Their beaks are short, hooked, and frequently 

 rendered more formidable by the possession of a tooth-like appendage to the upper mandible, which 

 fits into a corresponding cavity in the lower portion of the beak ; their gape is always large, and often 

 of such great extent as to appear out of proportion to the rest of the body ; the crop is but slightly 

 developed or is entirely wanting, and the gizzard a mere capacious bag, provided with strong 

 muscular walls. In all other characteristics presented by the members of this very heterogeneous order 

 so much dissimilarity is observable, that to avoid confusion we must confine ourselves to describing 

 each group in its appointed place. 



The Catchers are met with in all parts of the world, but it is only in the warmer climates 

 that they are found in great numbers, or seem to exhibit the full development of their matchless 

 powers, which are alike displayed amid the recesses of the forest or on the heights of mountain ranges ; 

 even the inhabitants of the water are not secure against their treacherous rapacity. Some groups 

 carry on the work of destruction during the day, some prefer the evening for their excursions, while 

 others only commence their murderous onslaughts when night has fully closed in, and given them the 

 protection of its sheltering darkness. All have but one mate, and breed once or twice in the year. 

 Their nests are often built with great skill, and usually placed in holes of trees, in crevices of walls 

 and rocks, or, in some instances, upon the ground. The eggs vary from one to eight in number, and 

 the young are tended with great affection by both parents. 



BIRDS OF PREY (Raptorcs). 



The numerous species included in this group present a remarkable inequality of size, some 

 vying with the largest members of the feathered race in the majestic development of their 

 powerful bodies, whilst others are no bigger than a Lark ; still, despite this difference, there is 

 such an unmistakable impress upon their forms and plumage as renders it easy to distinguish a 

 Bird of Prey at the first glance. All the members of this rapacious series are endowed with a 

 powerful and compact frame, broad breasts, and strong limbs; the head is usually round, occasio 

 elongated, the neck short and muscular, the trunk robust, and the legs and wings exhibit 

 unmistakable strength in their formation as can leave no doubt as to the attributes of the 

 even should it be seen deprived of its feathers, beak, and claws. The beak is short, decidedly c 

 hooked at its extremity, and covered with a cere ..t the base of the upp^r mandible; the la 



