BIRDS OF PREY 57 



ternal form. And it is on these grounds that anato- 

 mists have separated the Owls from the Eagle tribe. 



The hooked beaks, sharp claws, and upright car- 

 riage of the body, which distinguish both the Owls 

 and the Day-flying Birds of Prey, or Accipitres, owe 

 their being to the Same causes. That is to say, when 

 the ancestors of these birds began preying on their 

 neighbours, they did it because they were stronger, 

 and had heavier, sharper beaks, and longer, sharper 

 claws than their victims. As time went on, the de- 

 scendants of these marauders gradually improved 

 these weapons, and this improvement is still taking 

 place. 



Birds of Prey are noted for certain striking char- 

 acteristics, among them their great powers of flight, 

 their fierce and keen eyes, recurved beaks, and sharply 

 curved and pointed claws. In character they differ 

 considerably, some species being bold and aggressive, 

 while others are comparatively shy and retiring. 

 Many of them are very large birds. All are flesh- 

 eaters, some confining themselves almost entirely to 

 the flesh of animals and birds, while others feed upon 

 small snakes, lizards, and even insects. All, except- 

 ing possibly the Caracara, seize their prey with the 

 feet, and not with the bill, driving the pointed talons 

 deep into the flesh and tearing off pieces with their 

 sharp, hooked beaks. 



The nests are always flimsy-looking affairs, loosely 

 constructed of sticks placed together. They make 

 most devoted parents, however, both male and female 

 working together to supply the nestlings with food. 

 The young remain in the nests for a considerable time 



