THE SAVAGE WORLD. 
419 
BIRDS OF PREY. 
The Birds of Prey (. Accipitres ) naturally represent the next step upward, 
since for success in the realm assigned to them, in the division of the world’s 
dominion, they require a more complex organism, and a higher structure than 
the classes of birds heretofore described. As carnivorous creatures, they are 
orovided with strong, hooked beaks, and their claws are adapted for clutching. 
The short, stout bill has a curved tip and knife-like edges, so that it forms 
the most perfect contrivance for tearing and cutting, while the muscular power 
of the jaws fits them for crunching the bones of animals. The upper jaw, 
like that of the parrot family, is furnished with a sheath (cere), which extends 
as far as the nostrils. The powerful feet are four-toed, and, except in the case 
of the owl and the fish hawk, are arranged three in front and one behind. The 
fact that the claws are less fully defined in such birds of prey as feed upon 
carrion and refuse, is another striking 
illustration of the wonderful provision 
in the animal kingdom for each crea¬ 
ture having no excuse for not worthily 
fulfilling the work it has to do. 
The Owl was sacred to Minerva, 
for if not possessed of the most remark¬ 
able wisdom, it has the appearance of 
profound sapience. 
The Hawk Owl, 
or Can a B d a Owl 
(Surnia ulala), be¬ 
longs to the Polar 
fauna, and is notable 
because it can see by 
day as well as by night. 
The Snowy Owl 
(Nyctea nivea) is a 
mighty hunter and 
fisher, and flies wholly 
by day. It is specially 
fond of hares and lem- 
eared or horned owl ( Bubo maximus). miners Its oran ge- 
colored eyes gleam like gems, and gain in lustre from their contrast with the 
spotless white of the rest of the body. Its habitat is in the North Polar regions 
of both continents. > 
The Burrowing, or Coquimbo Owl (Speotyto cunicumria) , is a member of 
the queer triumvirate, which is composed of the prairie dog, the rattlesnake, 
and the owl. When the coquitnbo has no prairie dog to do his mining, he 
makes his own burrow. This species is small of size, but has very long, stout 
legs and extremely muscular claws. 
The Boobook (Athene boobook) , or Australian Cuckoo Owl, though diurnal 
in its habits, passes the night in song, not unlike that of the cuckoo. 
The Winking Owl (Athene connivens) belongs to Australia, and particu¬ 
larly attacks the bear or kaola, a small quadruped which it frequently makes 
its prey, though not without having to engage in a fierce battle. 
