78 



ANIMAL BIOLOGY 



small jungle fowl of India (Fig. 63). The wild turkey still exists in 

 some parts of our country, but it is being rapidly exterminated by 

 hunters. The toes of all the scratching birds are armed with strong, 

 blunt nails, by which they are enabled to dig in the soil for insects 

 and worms. All these birds, too, feed to some extent upon grain. 





Fig. 64. — Red-shouldered hawk. 



61. Birds of prey. — The hawks (Fig. 64), eagles, and owls (Fig. 

 65), which comprise this group have acquired the name of birds of 

 prey from their habit of catching and feeding on rats, mice, birds, 

 and other animals. Their feet are armed with sharp incurved claws, 

 and the upper part of their bills is hooked ; and so they are specially 

 adapted for seizing and tearing their prey. 



