ORDER I. 
RAPTORES. 
The peculiarities already given of the order Raptores are sufficient to define it among the 
others mentioned, although many additional features might he named. The order embraces 
three families, which are characterized by Keyserling and Blasius as follows : 
A. —Diurnal birds of prey. 
Eyes lateral, with lashes, surrounded by a naked or woolly orbital circle ; the feathers above, 
below, and behind the eyes directed backwards, as on the rest of the head ; anterior to the eye 
the lore imperfectly clothed with a radiating star of bristles, or with scale-like feathers. The 
inner toe without the nail, shorter, or as long as the outer. Nostrils opening in the cere. 
Vulturidae. Bill contracted or indented on the anterior border of the cere, so that the culmen 
is bow shaped, or ascending anterior to it. Eyes lying on a level with the sides of the head. 
Head sparsely covered with downy feathers only, or partially naked. Claws weak, rather 
slender, and only moderately curved ; the tarsi and bases of the toes reticulated. 
Falconidae. The bill not contracted, nor the culmen ascending anterior to the cere. Eyes 
sunken. The head completely covered with compact, perfect feathers. Claws strong. 
B. —Nocturnal birds of prey. 
Strigidae. Eyes directed forwards; more or less completely surrounded by a crown of radiating 
bristly feathers. Lores and base of bill densely covered with bristly feathers directed forwards. 
The nostrils opening on the anterior edge of the cere. The inner toe without its claw longer 
than the outer, which is versatile. A crown of peculiarly formed feathers on the side of the head, 
and above the throat. Head fully feathered. Plumage very soft and downy. 
The different families of Raptores have much the same character throughout the world, with 
the exception of the Vulturidae , in which the species of America or Cathartinae, are distinguish¬ 
able from the old world Vulturinae by narrow, elongated, and perforate nostrils, those of oppo¬ 
site sides not separated by a partition ; the toes are longer, with a greater extent of web between 
the three anterior ones ; the neck shows single patches of perfectly naked skin. The tail con¬ 
sists of but twelve feathers, &c. (Burmeister.) 
Note.— The following article on the rapacious birds has been prepared by Mr. John Cassin, of Philadelphia. — S. F. B. 
