Family 34. PIGEONS AND DOVES. Columbidæ.
Characters those of the Order.
Order XII. Vultures, Hawks, and Owls. RAPTORES.
(4 families, 56 species, 33 subspecies.)
Generally large birds with hooked bill; strong, heavy feet, and long, curved nails; wings large; tail rather long, usually square.
Family 35. AMERICAN VULTURES. Cathartidæ.
Bill not strongly hooked; toe-nails comparatively weak; nostrils large, piercing the bill; head and more or less of neck, bare.
