NOCTURNAL BIRDS OF PREY, 545 



dead or living ; like them, too, they possess the strength and cunning 

 which are necessary to secure their victims. 



With her ever-admirable foresight Nature has wisely limited the 

 reproduction of these destructive creatures — the largest only lay two 

 eggs a year ; the others, on an average, five or six. It is a singular 

 thing that the female is often nearly a third bigger than the male ; 

 hence the name of " tarsel/' given to the latter in certain species. 



The Raptores present none of the graces and are totally deficient 

 of the charming powers of song possessed by other races of birds, 

 for their sole utterance consists either of harsh cries or strange and 

 plaintive modulations. Their plumage is nearly always of a sad and 

 monotonous appearance. Destruction is the sole object of their 

 existence ; they are the terror of all the rest of the feathered creation, 

 among which they every day make numerous victims. They live 

 alone, or in couples, in the most deserted localities, their gathering 

 together in flocks being exceptional, and then it is to devour putrid 

 carrion. They are of a despotic and combative temperament, and 

 will not suffer any rivals in their neighbourhood. They practise 

 absolutism in its strictest form, and reign as lords and masters in the 

 districts which they choose for their territory. 



The Raptores are met with over the whole surface of the globe ; 

 the larger species inhabit lofty mountains, or seek a hiding-place in 

 the face of inaccessible and solitary cliffs. 



This order is divided into two sub-orders, the Nocturnal and the 

 Diurnal. This division is a very rational one, for it is founded on 

 dissimilarity of habits, which is owing to a difference of organisation. 



Nocturnal Birds ok Prey. 



Nocturnal birds of prey are distinguished by large staring eyes, 

 directed straight in front, and surrounded by a circle of slender and 

 stiff feathers, which, by their radiation round the face, form a nearly 

 complete disc, to which the name of facial disc has been given ; by 

 the large development of their head ; by very short bills, devoid of 

 cere, which is replaced by a plain skin covered with hairs; by tarsi 

 feathered down to the claws ; by the mobility of the outside toe, 

 which can be turned either forwards or backwards ; by very strong, 

 sharp, and retractile claws ; by abundant and soft plumage ; and by 

 tails which are generally short. 



But the original characteristic of these birds, and that which has 

 contributed to their union in one group, is their inability to bear the 

 light of mid-day, and the faculty they possess of being able to see in. 



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