EAGLES. 
27 
EAGLES. 
If ext in order to the vultures, are placed the splendid birds which are so familiar to 
us under the general title of Eagles, and which form the first group of the great family 
Falconidse, which includes the Eagles, falcons, and hawks. In common with the Vulturidse, 
the whole of the Falconidse are diurnal birds, and are therefore classed into one large order, 
termed Accipitres Diurni. All the Falconidse possess powerful hooked beaks, not running 
straight for some distance, and then suddenly curved, as in the vultures, but nearly always 
bent in a curve from the very base. The head and neck are covered with plumage, and above 
the eyes the feathers are so thick and projecting, that they form a kind of roof or shade, under 
which the eye is situated and effectually sheltered from the bright rays of the noontide sun. 
There is often a tootli-like projection in the upper mandible, and the nostrils are placed within 
the cere. The females are always larger and more powerful than their mates, and the color of 
both sexes is very variable, according to the age of the individual. 
The preceding characteristics are common to the entire family of Falconidse, and the true 
Eagles may be distinguished by the following additional particulars : The beak is remarkably 
powerful, and for a short distance from the base is nearly straight ; when the mouth is open, 
the edges of the upper mandible are seen to be slightly wavy, something like the cut edges 
of an indenture. The tail is of no very great length, bnt strong and rigid, and the legs are 
feathered down to the toes. Upwards of forty species have been placed in this genus ; but as 
many of them present characteristics which admit of a further subdivision, they have been 
grouped together in certain sub-genera, for the purpose of attaining greater perspicuity. 
The whole of the Falconidse are eminently destructive birds, gaining their subsistence 
chiefly by the chase, seldom feeding on carrion except when pressed by hunger, or when the 
dead animal has only recently been killed. Herein they form a complete contrast to the vul- 
tures, whose usual food is putrifying carrion, and fresh meat the exception. Destructive 
though they may be, they are by no means cruel, neither do they inflict needless pain on the 
object of their pursuit. Like the lion and other carnivorous animals, they certainly carry out 
the great principle for which they were made, and which has already been mentioned in 
Volume I. They are not cruel birds, for although they deprive many birds and beasts of life, 
they effect their purpose with a single blow, sweeping down upon the doomed creature with 
such lightning velocity, and striking it so fiercely with the death -dealing talons, that in the 
generality of instances the victim must be absolutely unconscious even of danger, and be sud- 
denly killed while busily engaged in its ordinary pursuits, without suffering the terrors of 
anticipation, or even a single pang of bodily pain. There certainly are some instances where 
an animal, such as a lamb, has been carried while still living to the Eagle’s nest, and there 
slaughtered. But we must not judge the feelings of such a victim by our own, for the lamb 
can form no conception of the purpose for which it is conveyed through the air, and doubt- 
lessly feels nothing but astonishment at the strange journey which it is making. 
When the Eagle perceives a bird on the wing, the mere shock caused by the stroke of the 
Eagle’s body is almost invariably sufficient to cause death, and the bird, should it be a large 
one, such as a swan, for example, falls dead upon the earth without even a wound. Smaller 
birds are carried off in the talons of their pursuers, and are killed by the grip of their tremen- 
dous claws, the Eagle in no case making use of its beak for the purpose of killing its prey. 
If the bird carries off a lamb or a hare, it grasps the body firmly with its claws, and then by a 
sudden exertion of its wonderful strength, drives the sharp talons deep into the vitals of 
its prey, and does not loosen its grasp until the breath of life has fled and all movement has 
ceased. 
The structure by means of which the Eagle is enabled to use its talons with such terrible 
effect is equally beautiful and simple, and as it is closely connected with many of the habits of 
birds, deserves separate mention. 
Many observant persons have been struck with the curious fact, that a bird can hold its 
