9 
Order ACCIPITRES. Bieds of Peey. 
By most naturalists the birds of this order are placed first 
in the classification. They are all carnivorous; and to enable 
them to obtain their prey, the beak and claws are strong and 
crooked; the upper mandible of the beak is much longer than 
the under, over which it is bent, being hooked at the end and 
sharp ; the legs are, in the greater number of the species, of 
moderate length, but of great strength, the muscles which 
move the toes and claws being well developed; the toes 
are four, armed with long bent claws, those of the hind toe 
and the innermost being the strongest; the scales on the 
underside are rough, which gives the foot a more tenacious 
grasp. The females of the birds of prey are always larger 
than the males. The wings are long and powerful, and en- 
able some of the species to soar to an immense height. 
They are generally solitary birds, or live in pairs, and con- 
struct their nests in inaccessible rocks or lofty trees ; the 
young when hatched have their eyes closed, and require the 
close attention of their parents for a considerable period. 
The Accipitres are divided into two great groups. Diurnal 
