DIVISIONS OF BIRDS. 303 
4. Fisstrostres.—The beak in the Fissirostral birds (fig. 164, F) 
is generally short, and remarkably wide in its gape, and the 
opening of the bill is protected by a number of bristles. This 
arrangement is in accordance with the habits of the /7sszvosires, 
the typical forms of which live upon insects and take their prey 
upon the wing. The most typical /7zsszrostres, in fact, such as 
the Swallows and Goat-suckers, fly about with their mouths 
open, and the insects which they catch in this way are prevented 
from escaping, partly by the bristles which border the gape, and 
partly by a sticky secretion within the mouth. The most typical 
Fissirostral birds are the Swallows and Martins (Hzrundinide), 
the Goat-suckers (Caprimulgide), and the Swifts (Cypselide) ; 
but to these the Bee-eaters (Zerofide), and the King-fishers are 
usually added. 
ORDER VII. RAPTORES.—The Birds of Prey are character- 
ised by the form of the beak, which is adapted for tearing ani- 
mal food (fig. 165, B). The upper mandible is the longest, 
Fig. 165.—Raptores. A, Foot of Peregrine Falcon; B, Head of Buzzard, 
hooked at its point, “strong, curved, sharp-edged, and sharp- 
pointed, often armed with a lateral tooth” (Owen). The body 
is extremely muscular ; the legs are robust, short, with three 
toes in front and one behind ; all the toes armed with strong, 
curved, crooked claws or talons (fig. 165, A). They all feed 
upon the flesh of other animals, which they either kill for 
themselves or find dead, and their flight is generally extremely 
rapid and powerful. They are not polygamous, and the female 
is larger than the male. They usually build their nest in lofty 
and inaccessible situations, and seldom lay more than four eggs. 
The young are hatched in a naked and helpless condition. 
