114 
FALCONIFORMES 
of course. It is such warping of judgment that we must particularly 
guard against in estimating the real value of our Birds of Prey. 
However, the so-called balance of nature has been profoundly dis- 
turbed by civilized man’s appearance on the scene, and the new balance 
in process of establishment may not be altogether to his liking. Civilization 
itself is an unnatural condition, a disturbed balance, and to be retained only 
by constant interference with nature’s attempt to return to a more primitive 
order. Such interference may be absolutely necessary, but, unguided by 
comprehensive understanding of the complicated action and reaction in 
nature's economy, it is likely to be bungling and, like prodding the works 
of a fine watch without understanding its mechanism, cause evil greater than 
that which it is intended to correct. When, however, a species increases 
to numbers detrimental to man’s interest, it is expedient and justifiable to 
reduce them. But in doing so we should take heed of what we undertake 
and assure ourselves that worse evils will not follow. We have largely 
eliminated the coyote and fox as threats to our flocks, and have thereby 
removed an active check on the mice, gophers, and ground-squirrels. Some 
species of hawks do more damage than good to us and can well be destroyed, 
but care should be taken that discrimination be shown and that the harm- 
less or useful ones, the remaining efficient natural control of rodent pests, 
be not involved. 
The difficulties of recognizing the various species of hawks and dis- 
criminating friend from foe are considerable. However, two simple rules 
will assist. All black hawks are positively beneficial. Most summer hawks 
on the prairies are to be regarded as beneficial unless actually taken in a 
harmful act. Those of late autumn or winter may in the west be treated as 
harmful without much danger to innocent species. In the cast this dis- 
tinction does not work quite so well and a little more discrimination should 
be exercised. 
SUBORDER— CATHARTAE. AMERICAN VULTURES 
This suborder is composed of the American Vultures which are 
systematically quite distinct from those of the Old World. One family 
only is represented in Canada, Cathartidae the Turkey Vultures. Vultures 
are carrion feeders, relying upon dead meat and not capturing living prey 
unless it is in the last stages of exhaustion. Ordinarily, they touch nothing 
but decaying flesh. This is usually regarded as a matter of choice, but 
may be a necessity, as their feet are not formed for grasping and the bill 
is comparatively weak. They may, therefore, be unable to break into 
large, sound carcasses and are forced to await the decay which renders 
the subject less refractory. 
FAMILY — -CATHARTIDAE. TURKEY VULTURES 
General Description. Large birds, nearly uniformly 
black in coloration. Bill is comparatively long and less 
strongly hooked than in remainder of the Raptores (Figure 
172). Head and upper neck are bare of feathers and have 
a superficial general resemblance to those of the turkey, 
but are without wattles or warty excrescences. Feet 
resemble those of a chicken rather than of a hawk. Claws 
are blunt and the foot is poorly adapted for seizing or 
holding prey. 
Distribution. Vultures are essentially birds of the 
warmer regions. They enter Canada only along the most 
southern boundaries. 
Head of Turkey Vulture. 
