460 Vertebrata. 



the Sandpipers (Tringa) ; some indigenous, some seasonal visitors: the 

 Ruff {Machetes pugnax) : the Redshank (Totanus): the God wits 

 (Lvmosa) -. the Curlews {Numenius arcuata), with veiy long, arched downwardly 

 oui-ved beak: the Avoset (Becurvirostra avocetta), with very long, upwardly 

 curved beak, and incomplete webbing between the toes. AH those mentioned 

 (and others besides) ocoiu- in England ; some are Birds of Passage, others 

 indigenous. The Phala ropes (Phalaropus), with ridge of skin along the 

 toes, are Northern forms (Iceland, etc.), which occasionally stray into England. 

 The males alone incubate the eggs. 



Order 7. Accipitres or RapaceS (Birds of Trey). 



Beak short and strong, thick at the base, which is provided with a 

 cere, much curved and with its point directed downwards. The feet are 

 powerful ; the strong claws are of an elongate, conical shape, pointed 

 and curved, forming the talons ; the hind toe is usually very strong ; 

 pedes raptatorii. Wings large. For the most part, majestic Birds, 

 feeding upon their prey or upon carrion. The females are larger than 

 the males. The newly-hatched young ones, although well covered 

 with down, remain for a long time within the nest, and are fed by the 

 parents. 



1. Diurnalbirdsofprey [Hemeroharpages). Head and neck feathered ; 

 hind toe large, articulated at the level of the fore toes, and bearing a very short 

 claw. They prey upon living animals. 



(a) Hawks (Astwridse). Lower side of the metatarsus covered with large 

 hoi-ny plates ; wings of medium length. Amongst British species are the 

 Goshawk (Astur palumbarius) and the small Sparrow-hawk {A. nisus). 

 The Secretary {Gypogeranus secretarius), an extraordinarily long-legged bh-d, 

 with a very long metatarsus and short toes, recalling a Wading Bird ; lives in 

 the deserts of Africa, feeding chiefly upon Reptiles. The Buzzards (Buteo) 

 differ from the Hawks principally in the greater length of wing. The Harriers 

 (Circus), also with long wings, are characterised by the possession of a facial 

 disc, like that of the Owls. 



(6) Falcons [Falconidx). The hinder side of the metatarsus, with 

 numerous small scales. Short, powerful beak, ciu-ved from the base, and with a 

 large tooth-like projection on the edge, near the tip. Wings usually long. The 

 most impoi-tant occurring in England are the Kestrel {Falco tinnunculus), the 

 Peregrine Falcon {F. peregrinus), the Hobby (F. subhuteo), and the 

 Merlin (F. sesalon) -. F. subbuteo, a migratory form wintering in South Africa ; 

 the others indigenous. The Gyrfalcon {F. gyrfalco) is an Arctic bird, which 

 occasionally visits England. 



(c) Eagles (Aquilidse). The metatai-sus like that of Falcons, but often 

 feathered ; beak usually longer, only curved at the tip, very strong, without 

 the dentiform projection; large with long wings; the Eagles (Aquila), 

 characterised by the well-feathered metatarsus, only occur as sti-agglers in 

 England, but are more common in the Highlands. The only two British species 

 are the Golden or Mountain Eagle {A. chrysaetus), and the large Sea 

 Eagle or White tailed Eagle (Haliaetus albicilla), in which the meta- 

 tarsus is only feathered over its upper half. This form feeds both upon land 

 animals and fish ; it occurs in all parts of Europe, and wanders south to breed. 

 The Osprey or Fishing Hawk {Pandion haliaetus), distinguished by the 



