FALCONS. 561 



The diurnal section of the Rapacious order is divided into three 

 families : the Falcons, the Vultures, and the Serpent-eaters. 



Falconid.e. 



The Falcon tribe have a very strong and comparatively short beak, 

 which is generally curved from the base, with denticulated or scalloped 

 edges ; the head and neck covered with feathers ; the talons very 

 powerful, and furnished with retractile nails — not, indeed, in the same 

 manner as cats, which have the power of withdrawing . or sheathing 

 theirs within the integuments, but by a conformation which gives the 

 bird of prey the power of elevating its claws at pleasure. 



These are the birds of prey par excellence. They feed for the 

 most part on living animals ; there are, however, some which, when 

 other means of sustenance fail, devour putrefied flesh. Their flight 

 is very rapid, and they ascend to immense altitudes. They are 

 seldom to be seen on the ground ; if they settle there it is but to 

 seize their prey, which accomplished, they without delay take wing 

 to their aerie. They lay at the utmost three or four eggs. Their 

 plumage alters considerably during their early years ; to such an 

 extent, indeed, does this occur, that the young and the adult birds 

 have often been taken for two distinct species. This fact has not a 

 little contributed to confuse students of ornithology. 



This family is a very numerous one, comprising no less than nine 

 genera ; namely, Eagles, Sea-eagles, Harpy Eagles, Caracara Eagles, 

 Hawks, Goshawks, Kites, Harriers, and Buzzards. 



The Eagle genus is characterised as follows : — The bill scalloped, 

 but not toothed, and presenting a straight portion at the base ; the 

 nostrils elliptical and transverse ; the tarsi short, and feathered down 

 to the toes ; the wings long ; and the tail rounded. 



Buffon has sketched a portrait of the Eagle, but his picture is by 

 no means a model of accuracy : — 



. " The Eagle," he says, " both physically and morally, presents 

 several points of harmony w r ith the Lion. In the first place, in 

 strength, and consequently in an empire over other birds, as the Lion 

 over beasts. In magnanimity ; for he, too, disdains small creatures, 

 and despises their insults. The Eagle will for a long time bear with 

 'the troublesome cries of the Crow and the Magpie ere he makes up 

 his mind to punish them with death. Added to this, he covets no 

 good things that he has not conquered for himself, and no other prey 

 than that of his own catching. In temperance ; for he scarcely ever 

 eats the whole of his victim, and, like the Lion, leaves the fragments 



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