BAFT0BE8: BIRDS OF PBEY. 497 



preseut or absent. Hallux always present, usually valid and insistent ; outer toe reversible in 

 some oases, never permanently reversed. The ambiens is present (excejjt in Striges) ; all ex- 

 cepting Gypogeranidcs and some Cathartides possess the femoro-caudal muscle, but not its 

 accessory, nor the semi-tencUnosus nor its accessory (excepting Cathartides, which have the two 

 last named, and Gypogeranides, which have these and the accessory femoro-caudal). Coica 

 are present (except in Cathartides). The oil-gland is present in all, and tufted except in 

 Cathartides. Aftershafts are present (usually), lacking in some Accipitres, all Striges and 

 Cathartides. There are two carotids ; the syrinx, when developed, has but one pair of intrinsic 

 muscles. The nature is altricial, yet ptilopsedic, the young being downy when hatched, and 

 long fed by the parents in the nest. The alimentary canal varies with the families, but diS'ers 

 from that of vegetarian birds, in adaptation to an exclusively animal diet. In the higher 

 types, the whole structure betokens strength, activity, and ferocity, carnivorous propensities 

 and predaceous nature. Most of the smaller, or weaker, species feed much upcjn insects ; 

 others more particularly upon reptiles, and fish ; others upon carrion ; but the majority prey 

 upon other birds, and small mammals, captured in open warfare. To this end, the claws no 

 less than the beak are specially adapted, by their development in the " talons " which we con- 

 stantly associate with our ideas of birds of prey. These weapons of offence and defence are 

 as a rule of great si2e, strength, crookedness, and acuteness ; and also peculiar in being con- 

 vex on the sides, gradually narrowed to the point, and little or not excavated underneath. The 

 inner claw is larger than the outer, and the hinder one smaller than the middle ; and all are 

 very flexibly jointed, so that they may be strongly bent underneath the toes, caiTying to the 

 extreme the grasping power of the feet. The legs are muscular and largely free from the 

 body, feathered to the suffrago or beyond ; when unfeathered, the tarsal envelope varies in 

 character. The wings are ample, and, as usual in bu-ds below Passeres, the coverts are long 

 and numerous, covering three-fourths or more of the folded wing. The tail, very variable 

 in shape, has twelve reetrices (with rare exceptions). 



Eepresentatives of this order are found in every part of the world. They are divisible into 

 four primary groups, of more classiflcatory value than that attaching to average famihes in 

 ornithology, and therefore to be held as superfamilies or suborders. One of these, Gypogeranides, 

 consists of the single remarkable species Gypogeranus serpentarius, the secretary-bird or serpent- 

 eater (if Africa ; this shows a curious grallatorial analogy, being mounted on long legs like a 

 Crane, and has several important structural modifications. The other three are the Striges or 

 Owls; the Accipitres or Hawks, Eagles, etc., including the Old World Vultures ; and the 

 Cathartides or American Vultures, — these last more different from the others coUectively than 

 the rest are from one another. All are well represented in this country. They are recognizable 

 at a glance, but the following analysis will serve to place the characters of the suborders and 

 their respective families in strong relief. 



Analysis of Suborders and Families. 



Feet scarcely raptorial, with weak, blunt, lengthened, little curved or contractile claws. Hind toe ele- 

 vated, not more than half as long as outer toe, with small claw ; middle toe lengthened ; outer toe not 

 versatile ; front toes all webbed at base ; basal joint of middle toe longer than either of the succeeding 

 ones. Nostrils large, perforate. Bill little raptorial, lengthened and somewhat contracted in conti- 

 nuity, tomia never lobed or toothed, tip blunt, little hooked. Head largely naked. Index digit with 

 a large claw. No lower larynx, coeca, aftershafts, or tuft of oil-gland. Ambiens present ; femoro- 

 caudal present or absent ; semitendinosus and its accessory present CATH AETIDES. 



Diurnal ; gressorial ; feed exclusively on carrion Cathartid-e 



Feet highly raptorial, with large, strong, sharp, curved, contractile claws. Hind toe not elevated Ien<^th- 

 ened, more than half as long as outer toe, with large claw; outer toe often versatile; front toes with 

 slight basal webbing between outer and middle, or none. Nostrils small, imperforate. Bill short 

 stout, very seldom contracted in its continuity, tomia often once or twice lobed or toothed tip sharp' 

 much hooked. Head feathered completely or in greatest part. Lower larynx with one pair 'of intrinsic 

 muscles. Creca present. Plumage with or without aftershafts. Ambiens present or absent. Femoro- 

 caudal present. Semitendinosus and its accessory absent. As a rule, saltatorial, and kill their prey 



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