V. 



■WINGED KOBBEES AND NEST-BUILDEES. 



The birds of prey, or Robbers, as they are called, 

 possess many characteristics analogous to those 

 carnivorous quadrupeds the cats ; the upper man- 

 dible always curved in this order, forming a sharp, 

 strong hook for the purpose of tearing the flesh of 

 their victims, and the generally retractile talons, 

 by which to seize their quarry, comparing with the 

 teeth and claws of the leopards and panthers. 



Their mode of attack also resembles that of the 

 Felidoe in many respects ; likened to their velvet 

 paws are the soft pliant wings of hawks and owls, 

 so that while flying they may draw near their 

 nimble prey without being heard. Their strength, 

 quickness and grace of motion, and even their 

 strange screaming voices, are all suggestive of the 

 tigers and ocelots; as if Nature had armed these 

 rapacious creatures to destroy all animals less fortu- 

 nate than themselves in weapons of self-defence. 



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