Part 1

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CASSELL'S BOOK OF BIRDS.

From the Text of Dr. Brehm.

by

THOMAS RYMER JONES, F.R.S.,

Professor of Natural History and Comparative Anatomy in King's College, London.

With Upwards of Four Hundred Engravings, and a Series of Coloured Plates.

In Four Volumes.

VOL. II.

London: Cassell, Petter, and Galpin; and New York.

CONTENTS.

PAGE

CATCHERS (_Captantes_).--_Continued._

THE HAWKS (_Accipiter_):--The Laughing Hawk--The Double-toothed Hawk--The Sparrow Hawk--The True Hawk, or Gos Hawk. The SINGING HAWKS (_Melierax_):--The True Singing Hawk--The Serpent Hawk 1-7

RAPTORIAL BIRDS.

THE EAGLES (_Aquila_):--The Tawny Eagle--The Golden Eagle--The Imperial Eagle--The Spotted Eagle. The DWARF EAGLES (_Hieraëtos_):--The Booted Eagle--The Dwarf Eagle. The WEDGE-TAILED EAGLES (_Uroaëtos_):--The Bold Wedge-tailed Eagle. The HAWK EAGLES (_Pseudaëtos_, _Eudolmaëtos_, or _Asturaëtos_):--Bonelli's Hawk Eagle. The HOODED EAGLES (_Spizaëtos_):--The Martial Hooded Eagle--The Tufted Eagle. The DESTROYING EAGLES (_Pternura_):--The Urutaurana. The BRAZILIAN EAGLES (_Morphnus_):--The Crested Brazilian Eagle--The Harpy Eagle. The SEA EAGLES (_Haliaëtos_):--The Sea Eagle--The White-headed Sea Eagle--The African Screaming Sea Eagle--The Osprey, River Eagle, or Fish Hawk 7-31

THE KITES (_Milvus_):--The Short-tailed Kite. The GLIDING KITES (_Elanus_):--The True Gliding Kite. The HOVERING KITES (_Ictinia_):--The Mississippi Kite. The CROOKED-BILLED KITES (_Cymindis_):--The Buzzard Kite--The Syama or Baza 31-37

THE TRUE KITES:--The Black Kite--The Govinda--The Parasite Kite--The Red or Royal Kite--The Swallow-tailed Kite. The CHELIDOPTERI:--The Dwarf Swallow-tailed Kite. The FIELD KITES, or HARRIERS (_Circus_). The MEADOW KITES (_Strigiceps_):--The Blue Kite or Hen Harrier--The Kite of the Steppes, or Pallid Harrier--The Meadow Kite, or Ash-coloured Harrier--The Reed Kite, or Marsh Harrier. SPOTTED KITES (_Spilocircus_):--Jardine's Spotted Kite 37-47

THE BUZZARDS (_Buteo_). The SNAKE BUZZARDS (_Circaëtos_):--The Snake Buzzard. The CRESTED BUZZARDS (_Spilornis_):--The Bacha--The Honey Buzzard, or Wasp Kite--The Crested Honey Buzzard--The Rough-legged Buzzard--The Common or Mouse Buzzard--The Red-winged or Grasshopper Buzzard--The Tesa--The Caracolero, Snail Buzzard, or Hook-beaked Buzzard--The Urubitinga 47-56

THE VULTURE FALCONS (_Polyborus_):--The Chimango--The Vulture Buzzard--The Carancho or Traro. SCREAMING BUZZARDS (_Ibicter_):--The Ganga--The Secretary or Crane Vulture 56-64

THE VULTURES (_Vulturidæ_):--The Bearded Vulture. The TRUE VULTURES (_Vultur_). The CONDORS, or WATTLED VULTURES (_Sarcorhamphus_):--The Condor--The Californian Condor--The King of the Vultures. The GOOSE VULTURES (_Gyps_):--The Tawny Goose Vulture--The Sparrow-hawk Goose Vulture. The CRESTED VULTURES:--The Cowled Vulture--The Variegated or Crested Vulture. The EARED VULTURES (_Otogyps_). The RAVEN VULTURES (_Catharta_):--The Scavenger or Egyptian Raven Vulture--The Monk Vulture--The Urubu or Turkey Buzzard--The Gallinazo 64-84

THE OWLS (_Striginæ_).

THE DAY OWLS (_Surnia_):--The Sparrow-hawk Owl--The Snow Owl. The STONE OWLS (_Athene_):--The Stone Owl Proper. The BURROWING OWLS (_Pholeoptynx_):--The Brazilian or Rabbit Owl--The Prairie Owl. The SPARROW OWLS (_Microptynx_):--The European Sparrow Owl. The _Eared Owls_, or UHUS (_Bubo_):--The Uhu--The Short-eared Uhu--The Milk-white Uhu--The Virginian Uhu--The Brown Fish Owl--The Woodland Owl--The Marsh Owl. The DWARF EARED OWLS (_Scops_):--The Dwarf Eared Owl 84-99

THE NOCTURNAL OWLS:--The Tree Owl--The Hairy-footed Owl. The VEILED OWLS (_Strix_):--Kirchhoff's Veiled Owl--The Flame Owl, or Barn Owl 99-103

THE GAPERS (_Hiantes_).

THE SWALLOWS (_Hirundo_). The TRUE SWALLOWS (_Cecropis_):--The Chimney Swallow--The Senegal Swallow--The Thread-tailed Swallow--the Martin or Roof Swallow 104-111

THE MOUNTAIN or SHORE SWALLOWS (_Cotyle_):--The Rock Swallow--The Sand Martin--The Ariel Swallow. The WOOD SWALLOWS (_Atticora_):--The Striped Wood Swallow. The SAILOR SWALLOWS (_Progne_):--The Purple Swallow 111-115

THE SWIFTS (_Cypselus_). The TREE SWIFTS (_Dendrochelidon_):--The Klecho. The SALANGANES (_Collocalia_):--The Salangane Proper--The Kusappi. The PRICKLY-TAILED SWIFTS (_Acanthylis_):--The White-throated Prickly-tailed Swift--The Dwarf Swift--The Palm-tree Swift--The Steeple Swift--The Alpine Swift 115-124

THE NIGHT JARS, or GOATSUCKERS (_Caprimulgus_):--The Nacunda. The TWILIGHT NIGHT JARS (_Chordeiles_):--The Night Falcon--The Common Goatsucker--The Resplendent Goatsucker. The BRISTLED NIGHT JARS (_Antrostomus_):--The Whip-poor-Will. The AFRICAN NIGHT JARS (_Scotornis_). The LYRE-TAILED NIGHT JARS (_Hydropsalis_):--The Lyre-tailed Night Jar. MACRODIPTERYX:--The Long-winged Macrodipteryx--The Streamer-bearing Night Jar, or "Four Wings." The GIANT GOATSUCKERS (_Nyctibius_):--The Ibijau, or Earth-eater--The Guachero, or Oil Bird. The OWL SWALLOWS (_Podargus_):--The DWARF OWL SWALLOWS (_Ægotheles_):--The True Dwarf Owl Swallow. The GIANT OWL SWALLOWS (_Podargus_):--The Giant Owl Swallow. The FROG-MOUTHS (_Batrachostomus_):--The Plumed Frog-mouth 124-140

THE SINGING BIRDS (_Oscines_).

THE TOOTH-BEAKED SINGING BIRDS (_Dentirostres_). The SHRIKES (_Lanius_):--The Sentinel Butcher Bird, or Great Grey Shrike--The Southern Shrike--The Grey, or Black-browed Shrike. The BUTCHER BIRDS PROPER (_Enneoctonus_):--The Red-backed Shrike, or True Butcher Bird--The Red-headed Shrike, or Wood Chat--The Masked Shrike. The THICK-HEADED SHRIKES (_Pachycephalus_):--The Falcon Shrike. The BUSH SHRIKES (_Malaconotus_). The FLUTE-VOICED SHRIKES (_Laniarius_):--The Scarlet Shrike--The Flute Shrike. The HOODED SHRIKES:--The Tschagra--The Helmet Shrike. The CROW SHRIKES (_Cracticus_):--The Magpie Shrike. The RAVEN SHRIKES (_Thamnophilus_):--Vigors' Raven Shrike. The DRONGO SHRIKES (_Edolius_):--The King Crow, or Finga. The DRONGOS (_Chaptia_):--The Singing Drongo. The FLAG-BEARING DRONGOS (_Edolius_ or _Dissemurus_):--The Bee King. The DRONGO SHRIKES. The SWALLOW SHRIKES (_Artamius_):--The Wood Shallow Shrike 140-158

THE FLY-CATCHERS. The KING or TYRANT SHRIKES (_Tyrannus_):--The True Tyrant Shrike, King Bird, or Tyrant Fly-catcher--The Bentevi. The FORK-TAILED TYRANTS (_Milvulus_):--The Scissor Bird--The Royal Tyrant. The STILTED FLY-CATCHERS (_Fluvicola_):--The Yiperu, or Yetapa--The Cock-tailed Fly-catcher. The CATERPILLAR EATERS (_Campephaga_):--The Red Bird, or Great Pericrocotus. The FLY-SNAPPERS (_Myiagra_). The PARADISE FLY-CATCHERS:--The Paradise or Royal Fly-snapper. The FANTAILS (_Rhipidura_):--The Wagtail Fantail. The TRUE FLY-CATCHERS (_Muscicapa_):--The Grey or Spotted Fly-catcher. The MOURNING FLY-CATCHERS (_Muscicapa_):--The Black-capped or Pied Fly-catcher--The Collared or White-necked Fly-catcher--The Dwarf Fly-catcher. The SILK-TAILS (_Bombycilla_):--The European, or Common Silk-tail, Bohemian Chatterer, or Wax-wing 158-174

THE MANAKINS (_Pipra_). The ROCK BIRDS (_Rupicola_):--The Cock of the Rock. The TRUE MANAKINS (_Pipra_). The LONG-TAILED MANAKINS (_Chiroxiphia_):--The Long-tailed Manakin--The Tije--The Black-cap Manakin. The PANTHER BIRDS (_Pardalotus_):--The Diamond Bird. The BALD-HEADED CROWS (_Gymnoderus_):--The Capuchin Bird, or Bald Fruit Crow--The Umbrella Bird, or Umbrella Chatterer. The BELL BIRDS (_Chasmarhynchus_):--The Bare-necked Bell Bird--The Araponga--The True Bell Bird--The Three-wattled Bell Bird, or Hammerer. The THRUSHES (_Turdidæ_). The GROUND SINGERS (_Humicola_) 174-185

THE NIGHTINGALES (_Luscinia_):--The Nightingale. The HEDGE SINGERS, or TREE NIGHTINGALES (_Aëaou_ or _Agrobates_):--The Tree Nightingale. The BLUE-THROATED WARBLERS (_Cyanecula_)--Swedish Blue-throat--White-starred Blue-throat. The RUBY NIGHTINGALES (_Calliope_):--The Calliope of Kamschatka. The Robin Redbreast 186-193

THE WARBLERS (_Monticola_). The REDSTARTS (_Ruticilla_):--The Black-capped Redstart--The Garden Redstart. The MEADOW WARBLERS (_Pratincola_):--The Brown-throated Meadow Warbler--The Black-throated Meadow Warbler. The CLIPPERS (_Ephthianura_):--The Wagtail Clipper. The CHATS (_Saxicola_):--The Fallow Chat, or Wheatear--The Eared Stone Chat and Black-throated Stone Chat. The RUNNING WARBLERS (_Dromolæa_):--The White-tailed Wheatear. The STONE THRUSHES, or ROCK WAGTAILS (_Petrocincla_):--The Stone Thrush, or Rock Wagtail--The Blue Rock Wagtail, or Blue Thrush--The Bush Warbler 193-204

THE THRUSHES (_Turdus_):--The Red-winged Thrush--The Red-throated Thrush--The Pale Thrush--The Siberian Thrush--The Wandering Thrush--The Hermit Thrush--Wilson's Thrush--Swainson's Thrush--Dwarf Thrush--The Soft-feathered Thrush--The Black-throated Thrush--The Ground Thrush--The Missel Thrush--The Song Thrush--The Fieldfare, or Juniper Thrush--The Redwing--The Ring Ouzel, or Ring Thrush--The Blackbird, Black Thrush, or Merle. The MOCKING THRUSHES (_Mimus_):--The Mimic Thrush, or Mocking Bird--The Ferruginous Mocking Bird, or Thrasher--The Cat Bird. The BABBLERS, or NOISY THRUSHES (_Timalia_):--The Grey Bird--Le Vaillant's Grey Bird. The TRUE BABBLERS (_Timalia_):--The Red-headed Babbler. The HOOK-CLAWED BABBLERS (_Crateropus_):--The White-rumped Babbler. The LAUGHING THRUSHES (_Garrulax_):--The White-tufted Laughing Thrush 204-223

THE WATER OUZELS (_Cinclus_):--The Water Ouzel, or Dipper--The American Water Ouzel. The PITTAS, or PAINTED THRUSHES (_Pitta_):--The Nurang--The Pulih--The Noisy Pitta--The ANT THRUSHES (_Myiothera_):--The Fire Eye--The Ant King--The Tapacolo or Tualo 223-232

THE LYRE BIRD (_Menura superba_) 232-237

THE WARBLERS (_Sylvia_). The SONG WARBLERS (_Sylvia_). The TRUE SONG WARBLERS (_Curruca_):--The Sparrow-hawk Warbler--The Orpheus Warbler--The Greater Pettichaps, or Garden Warbler--The Lesser Whitethroat--The Capirote, or Black-cap--The White Throat--The Spectacled Warbler--The White-bearded Warbler--The Fire-eyed Warbler--Rüppell's Warbler--The Black-headed Fire-eyed Warbler--The Sardinian Fire-eyed Black-head--The Provence Fire-eyed Warbler, or Dartford Warbler. The TREE WARBLERS (_Phylloscopus_):--The Field Tree Warbler, or Willow Wren. The LEAF WRENS (_Reguloides_):--The Leaf Wren. The GARDEN WARBLERS (_Hypolais_):--The Melodious Willow Wren--The Chiff-Chaff--The Ashy Garden Warbler. The MARSH WARBLERS (_Calamodytæ_). The REED WARBLERS (_Acrocephalus_):--The True Reed Warbler. The SEDGE WARBLERS (_Calamodus_):--The Sedge Warbler. The GRASSHOPPER WARBLERS (_Locustella_):--The Grasshopper Warbler. The BUSH WARBLERS (_Drymoica_):--The Pinc-Pinc. The TAILOR BIRDS (_Orthotomus_):--The Long-tailed Tailor Bird--The Emu Wren 237-269

THE WRENS (_Troglodytæ_):--The Common Wren. The MARSH WRENS (_Thryothorus_):--The Carolina Wren--The House Wren--The Flute-player 269-274

THE PIPITS (_Anthus_):--The Meadow Pipit, or Meadow Titling--The Tree Pipit--The Rock Pipit, Shore Pipit, or Sea Titling--The Stone Pipit, or Fallow-land Pipit. The SPURRED PIPITS (_Corydalla_):--Richard's Spurred Pipit 274-282

THE WAGTAILS (_Motacilla_):--The White Wagtail--The Pied Wagtail--The Dhobin--The Rock Wagtail--The Mountain Wagtail. The SHEEP WAGTAILS (_Budytes_):--The Cow or Meadow Wagtail--Ray's Wagtail--The Velvet-headed or Sheep Wagtail--The Yellow-headed Wagtail--The Gomarita, or Garden Wagtail. The SWALLOW WAGTAILS (_Enicurus_):--The MENINTING 282-292

THE ACCENTORS (_Accentor_). The HEDGE SPARROWS, or HEDGE WARBLERS (_Tharraleus_, or _Accentor_):--The Hedge Sparrow, or Hedge Warbler--The Siberian Accentor--The Alpine Accentor 292-296

THE TITS (_Parus_). The CRESTED WRENS or KINGLETS (_Regulus_):--The Golden-crested Wren--The Dalmatian Wren--The Fire-crested Wren--The Satrap Crowned Wren--The Ruby Crowned Wren. The _Penduline Titmice_ (_Ægithalus_):--The True Penduline Titmouse. The REED TITMICE (_Panurus_):--The Bearded Titmouse. The LONG-TAILED TITS (_Orites_):--The Long-tailed Titmouse. The CRESTED TITS (_Lophophanes_):--The Crested Tit--The Toupet Tit. The WOOD TITS (_Parus_):--The Great Tit--The Sombre Tit--The Cole Tit. The BLUE TITS:--The Blue Tit--The Azure Tit--The Siberian Tit--The Marsh Tit--The Carolina Titmouse--The Black-cap Titmouse 296-320

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

COLOURED PLATES.

PLATE XI.--THE ANGOLA VULTURE.

" XII.--THE JAVA OWL.

" XIII.--THE TAWNY GOATSUCKER.

" XIV.--THE RED-BACKED SHRIKE.

" XV.--THE PURPLE-CRESTED CORYTHAIX.

" XVI.--EGGS.

" XVII.--EGGS.

" XVIII.--THE NIGHTINGALE.

" XIX.--THE AZURE PITTA.

" XX.--THE ORONOKO CORACINA.

WOOD ENGRAVINGS.

FIG. PAGE

1. The Gos Hawk (_Astur palumbarius_) 4

2. Eagles 8

3. The Golden Eagle (_Aquila chrysaëtos_) 12

4. The Imperial Eagle (_Aquila imperialis_) 13

5. Bold Wedge-tailed Eagles (_Uroaëtos audax_) 16

6. The Tufted Eagle (_Lophoaëtos occipitalis_) 20

7. The Harpy Eagle (_Harpyia destructor_) 24

8. The Sea Eagle (_Haliaëtos albicilla_) 25

9. The White-headed Sea Eagle (_Haliaëtos leucocephalus_) 28

10. The African Screaming Sea Eagle (_Haliaëtos vocifer_) 29

11. The Short-tailed Kite (_Helotarsus ecaudatus_) 33

12. The Parasite Kite (_Hydroictinia parasitica_) 40

13. The Red or Royal Kite (_Milvus regalis_) 41

14. The Swallow-tailed Kite (_Nauclerus furcatus_) 42

15. The Reed Kite or Marsh Harrier (_Circus rufus_) 45

16. The Snake Buzzard (_Circaëtos brachydactylus_, or _Circaëtos Gallicus_) 48

17. The Common or Mouse Buzzard (_Buteo vulgaris_) 53

18. The Carancho or Traro (_Polyborus vulgaris_ or _Brasiliensis_) 60

19. Track across the Pampas 61

20. The Secretary, or Crane Vulture (_Gypogeranus serpentarius_) 64

21. Vultures feasting 65

22. The Bearded Vulture, or Lämmergeier (_Gypaëtos barbatus_) 68

23. The Condor (_Sarcorhamphus gryphus_, or _Sarcorhamphus condor_) 72

24. The King of the Vultures (_Sarcorhamphus papa_) 73

25. The Tawny Goose Vulture (_Gyps fulvus_) 76

26. The Monk Vulture (_Neophron pileatus_) 79

27. African Vultures (_Gyps fulvus_) 80

28. The Scavenger, or Egyptian Vulture (_Percnopterus stercorarius_, or _Neophron Percnopterus_) 81

29. The Urubu (_Cathartes aura_) 83

30. The Snow Owl (_Nyctea nivea_) 88

31. The Stone Owl (_Athene noctua_) 89

32. The Uhu at bay 92

33. The Uhu (_Bubo maximus_) 93

34. The Virginian Uhu (_Bubo Virginianus_) 96

35. The Marsh Owl (_Otus brachyotus_) 97

36. The Tree Owl (_Syrnium aluco_) 100

37. The Barn Owl (_Strix flammea_) 101

38. Tail-piece 103

39. The Chimney Swallow (_Cecropis Hirundo rustica_) 105

40. The Thread-tailed Swallow (_Cecropis Uromitus filifera_) 108

41. The Martin (_Chelidon urbica_) 109

42. The Ariel (_Chelidon Ariel_) 113

43. The Klecho (_Dendrochelidon Klecho_) 116

44. Salanganes 117

45. The White-throated Prickly-tailed Swift (_Acanthylis caudacuta_) 120

46. The Steeple Swift (_Cypselus apus_) 121

47. The European Goatsucker (_Caprimulgus Europæus_) 128

48. The Whip-poor-Will (_Antrostomus vociferus_) 129

49. The Lyre-tailed Night Jar (_Hydropsalis forcipata_) 130

50. The Oil Bird (_Steatornis Caripensis_) 133

51. The True Dwarf Owl Swallow (_Ægotheles Novæ Hollandiæ_) 137

52. The Giant Owl Swallow (_Podargus humeralis_) 139

53. The Sentinel Butcher Bird (_Lanius Excubitor_) 144

54. Butcher Bird and Fly-catchers 145

55. The Falcon Shrike (_Falcunculus frontatus_) 148

56. The Flute Shrike (_Laniarius Æthiopicus_) 149

57. The Helmet Shrike (_Prionops poliocephalus_) 152

58. The Magpie Shrike (_Cracticus destructor_) 153

59. The True Tyrant Shrike, King Bird, or Tyrant Fly-catcher (_Tyrannus intrepidus_) 160

60. The Scissor Bird (_Milvulus tyrannus_) 161

61. The Paradise Fly-catchers (_Tersiphone paradisea_) 165

62. The Collared or White-necked Fly-catcher (_Musicapa albicollis_) 172

63. The Silk-tail, Bohemian Chatterer, or Wax-wing (_Bombycilla garrula_) 173

64. The Cock of the Rock (_Rupicola crocea_) 176

65. The Diamond Bird (_Pardalotus punctatus_) 179

66. The Capuchin Bird, or Bald Fruit Crow (_Gymnocephalus calvus_) 180

67. The Umbrella Bird, or Umbrella Chatterer (_Cephalopterus ornatus_) 181

68. The Nightingale (_Luscinia Philomela_) 185

69. The Swedish Blue-throat (_Cyanecula Suecica_) 189

70. The Robin Redbreast (_Erythaca rubecula_, or _Rubecula silvestris_) 192

71. The Garden Redstart (_Ruticilla phœnicura_, or _Phœnicura ruticilla_) 193

72. The Black-throated Meadow Warbler (_Pratincola rubicola_) 196

73. The Wheatear (_Saxicola œnanthe_) 197

74. The Eared Stone Chat (_Saxicola aurita_) 200

75. The Stone Thrush, or Rock Wagtail (_Petrocincla Turdus saxatilis_) 201

76. The Bush Warbler (_Thamnolæa albiscapulata_) 204

77. The Song Thrush (_Turdus musicus_) 208

78. Fieldfares 209

79. The Redwing (_Turdus iliacus_) 210

80. The Blackbird (_Turdus merula_) 212

81. The Mocking Bird (_Mimus polyglottus_) 213

82. The Cat Bird (_Galeoscoptes Carolinensis_) 217

83. The Grey Bird (_Pycnonotus arsinoë_) 219

84. The White-rumped Babbler (_Crateropus leucopygius_) 221

85. The White-tufted Laughing Thrush (_Garrulax leucolophus_) 222

86. Water Ouzels and Kingfisher 224

87. The Water Ouzel, or Dipper (_Cinclus aquaticus_) 225

88. The Tapacolo (_Pteroptochus megapodius_) 232

89. The Lyre Bird (_Menura superba_) 233

90. The Sparrow-hawk Warbler (_Curruca nisoria_) 239

91. The Orpheus Warbler (_Curruca Orphea_) 241

92. The White Throat (_Curruca cinerea_) 245

93. The Spectacled Warbler (_Curruca conspicillata_) 248

94. The Field Tree Warbler, or Willow Wren (_Phyllopneuste Trochilus_) 253

95. The Chiff-Chaff (_Hippolais rufa_) 256

96. The Reed Warbler (_Acrocephalus turdoides_) 257

97. The Sedge Warbler (_Calamodus phragmitis_) 260

98. The Long-tailed Tailor Bird (_Orthotomus longicauda_) 265

99. The Emu Wren (_Stipiturus malachurus_) 268

100. The Common Wren (_Troglodytes parvulus_) 269

101. The Tree Pipit (_Anthus arboreus_) 276

102. The Rock Pipit (_Anthus petrosus_) 277

103. The Fallow-land Pipit (_Agrodroma campestris_) 280

104. Wren and Wagtails 281

105. The White Wagtail (_Motacilla alba_) 284

106. The Mountain Wagtail (_Calobates sulphurea_) 288

107. The Meninting (_Enicurus coronatus_) 293

108. The Alpine Accentor (_Accentor Alpinus_) 296

109. The Golden crested Wren (_Regulus vulgaris_, _flavicapillus_, or _auricapillus_) 300

110. Bearded and Penduline Tits 304

111. The Long-tailed Titmouse (_Orites caudatus_) 308

112. The Great Tit (_Parus major_) 313

_CASSELL'S_ BOOK OF BIRDS.

CATCHERS (_Captantes_).--Continued.

THE HAWKS.

THE HAWKS (_Accipitres_) are a group of birds that rival the Falcons in rapacity, but are entirely without those qualities popularly supposed to lend a certain nobility to the murderous propensities of their more favoured relatives.

The HAWKS are recognisable by their compact body, long neck, and small head, their short rounded wings, very long tail, and high tarsi; the toes vary considerably in size. The beak is less vaulted and more compressed at its sides than in the Falcons; the tooth-like appendages are placed further back, and are less distinctly developed, and the bare circle around the eye is entirely wanting. The plumage is thick and soft, usually dark blueish grey above, and of a lighter shade upon the lower parts of the body, the latter being often darkly striped. Old birds of both sexes are alike in plumage, but the young differ considerably from their parents. The members of this family are found throughout the whole world, some species being confined to a comparatively limited extent of country, whilst others are to be met with everywhere. All frequent woods and forests, from whence they sally forth to find their food in the fields and valleys of the surrounding country. Hawks seldom fly to any great altitude; they move with great rapidity, altering their course at once with the utmost facility, and passing in and out among the branches and bushes with the dexterity of a Martin; they run swiftly upon the ground, assisting their progress with their wings. Their eyrie is usually built upon high trees, and is by some species prettily decked with green twigs, which are renewed from time to time. The eggs are numerous, and during the period of incubation the parent birds will fiercely attack even men should they attempt to molest the brood. Some few species have been trained for hunting purposes, but these attempts have almost always proved unsuccessful.

THE LAUGHING HAWK.