Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874,
BY LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY,
in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

Printers
S. J. Parkhill & Co., Boston, U. S. A.

CONTENTS.

Page
[Family Strigidæ. The Owls][4]
[Family Falconidæ. The Falcons][103]
[Subfamily Falconinæ][106]
[Family Cathartidæ. The American Vultures][335]
[Family Columbidæ. The Pigeons][357]
[Subfamily Columbinæ][357]
[Subfamily Zenaidinæ][374]
[Family Cracidæ. The Curassows][397]
[Subfamily Penelopinæ][397]
[Family Meleagrididæ. The Turkeys][402]
[Family Tetraonidæ. The Grouse][414]
[Family Perdicidæ. The Partridges][466]
[Subfamily Ortyginæ][466]
[Appendix.]
I. [Additions and Corrections][499]
II. [Explanation of Terms used in describing the External Form of Birds][524]
III. [Glossary of Technical Terms][535]
[Index of English Names.]
[Index of Scientific Names.]
[Index to the Plates.]
Plates 57–64.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

RAPTORES.[1]—The Birds of Prey.

The group of birds usually known as the Raptores, or Rapacious Birds, embraces three well-marked divisions, namely, the Owls, the Hawks, and the Vultures. In former classifications they headed the Class of Birds, being honored with this position in consequence of their powerful organization, large size, and predatory habits. But it being now known that in structure they are less perfectly organized than the Passeres and Strisores, birds generally far more delicate in organization, as well as smaller in size, they occupy a place in the more recent arrangements nearly at the end of the Terrestrial forms.

The complete definition of the order Raptores, and of its subdivisions, requires the enumeration of a great many characters; and that their distinguishing features may be more easily recognized by the student, I give first a brief diagnosis, including their simplest characters, to be followed by a more detailed account hereafter.

Common Characters. Bill hooked, the upper mandible furnished at the base with a soft skin, or “cere,” in which the nostrils are situated. Toes, three before and one behind. Raptores.