THE HAWK AND EAGLE FAMILY
(Falconidæ)[28]
Thisis a family of birds of prey. That is, birds who live entirely on living animals, which they hunt and catch for themselves. Owls are also birds of prey, but they do their hunting by night, while this family work by day.
sparrow hawk on branchSPARROW HAWK
Like all birds, hawks are well fitted for what they have to do. They have long wings, so that they can fly swiftly and long at a time, to follow up the prey. They have sharp, curved claws, made for grasping and holding things. Their hooked beak is the best kind for cutting and tearing meat.
Most of these birds work for us the whole time, as do the owls. For they eat the same destructive animals, and they eat an enormous number. Yet we have a foolish prejudice against them, because two or three of them sometimes take poultry and game birds. Even when thesebirds do take our poultry and game birds, some good is done. For they naturally catch the weak ones who are not able to get out of their way. And it is better for the whole race of these birds that the weak ones should not live. It leaves the rest stronger, and better able to make their way in the world.
This family is found all over the world. It includes birds of all sizes, from one as small as a sparrow to one who spreads his wings ten feet. In our country we have neither the smallest nor the largest. Of those you are likely to see, the least is the American Sparrow Hawk, who is not much larger than a robin, and the greatest is the Bald Eagle, who is sometimes a yard from the tip of his beak to the end of his tail.
Hawks have wonderful eyes like a telescope and microscope in one, as I have told you in "The First Book of Birds." In eating without knife and fork, they often swallow food whole and throw up castings like the owls.
In catching their prey these birds use their feet instead of their beaks. Even those who hunt grasshoppers and crickets seize them in their claws. Their feet are quite as useful as hands. In them they carry material for the nest as well as food for the little ones. The claws are powerful weapons of war, too. A hawkwho is ready to fight throws himself on his back and presents his claws to the enemy. Few people would like to be grappled by those terrible claws.
Hawks and eagles have wonderful wing power. Some of them can stay far up in the air an hour at a time. They go up in great circles with wings held stiffly out and not beating, till out of sight. Men have not yet been able to see quite how it is done. It is probably by using the wings as sailors use their sails, and making the wind carry them.
The one of this family I shall tell you about is theFish Hawk, orAmerican Osprey, because he is found all over the United States. He is one of those which you will be most likely to see, and want to know about.
The osprey is a large bird, about two feet long. He is dressed in chocolate brown, with white breast and white tips to many of his feathers. His head feathers are long, and lie back on his neck, giving a peculiar shape to the head, by which you may know him at once. These feathers too are white, so that as he flies over he looks as if he were bald. He has feet marvelously fitted to hold slippery fish. The talons are sharp, and the toes long, and roughon the under side, so that nothing can get away from them.
The fish hawk is a social bird and fond of his home. Though he migrates, he comes back to the old place, year after year. He likes the top of a stout tree to build in. It needs to be stout, for he makes a very big nest, and adds to it every season. It generally kills the tree, if it is not dead when he begins. If there are no trees to be had, or if there are too many birds for the trees at hand, some of them will nest on the ground, for they like to keep near their friends. The nest is made of sticks and all the rubbish the birds can collect. Such things are found as an old broom, a boy's sail-boat, a rag doll, and others as absurd.
The young fish hawk is a pretty little fellow in white down. He is three or four weeks in the egg, and a long time in the nest, and is helpless a good deal longer. He is fed on fish like his parents. For this bird deserves his name; he is a fisherman, and always takes his food from the water. Fortunately he usually selects the poorer kinds of fish, which men do not care to eat, and so he is not called an enemy by the fishermen.
But the hard-working osprey has an enemy, who makes it his business to rob him. The waythe fish hawk gets his food is to dive for it. He hovers over the water till he sees a fish near the surface that suits him. Then he closes his wings and dives like a shot. He plunges in often over his head, and seizes the fish in his claws or talons. Then he rises, and shaking off the water flies toward his family, with their dinner.
osprey on branch overlooking pondAMERICAN OSPREY OR FISH HAWK
But then appears the robber, the bald eagle, I'm sorry to say, who prefers stealing his food to hunting for himself. He rushes furiously at the fish hawk, who is obliged to drop his load to defend himself. Then the eagle seizes it, often before it reaches the ground, and flies off, while the osprey goes back to his fishing.
But the osprey is learning something, like the rest of the birds. On the shore of New Jersey there is a place where men fish with great nets, and bring in hundreds of fish every day. The birds have noted how much better men are at their trade of fishing than they are. So they have thought out an easier way to get food than to dive for it. Perhaps they got the hint from the eagle.
Wherever the fish hawks got the idea, it is now the common custom for them to sit on the poles that hold the net and wait. When it is drawn up filled with flopping fish, each bird dives down and secures one for himself. And he takestime to choose, too. If there is one of a kind he particularly likes, he goes for that one.
Fish hawks, like other birds, are very fond of their little ones. A gentleman who had been traveling in the West told me this little story. He, with a party who were wandering over a wild part of the country, accidentally set fire to a bit of woods on the shore of Lake Superior. On one of the trees was a fish hawk's nest with young birds. As soon as the smoke began to spread, the old birds grew uneasy, and circled about their tree, going often to the nest.
The men who had done the mischief, and who had then taken to their boat, were noting the spread of the fire. They watched the birds to see what they would do. When the fire at last reached their tree, the loving parents turned with one accord, plunged down into the nest, and all perished together. They could easily have saved themselves, but they could not desert their nestlings.
FOOTNOTE:[28]SeeAppendix, 27.
[28]SeeAppendix, 27.
[28]SeeAppendix, 27.
THE SCAVENGER FAMILY
(Cathartidæ)[29]
Thisis one of the most useful of bird families. But it is not very pleasant to meet, for the work it has to do makes it rather repulsive to us.
The vultures are scavengers. They dispose of vast quantities of carrion and other offensive matter. In doing this they make it possible for people to live in places where they could not live without the service of these birds.
The common vulture in the United States is theTurkey Vulture, orTurkey Buzzard. He is a large bird, with head and neck bare of feathers. In shape and size he is a good deal like a turkey. He is a familiar bird all over the country, except in New England and other northern parts, and is usually seen soaring about in the air, looking for food. Beautiful and graceful he looks away up against the sky. Hesails around as if he weighed nothing, with wing feathers spread at the tip like fingers. But he is not so pretty when he comes to the ground, for he is very clumsy and awkward in getting about.
The turkey buzzard nests almost anywhere; he is not at all particular—on the ground, in a hollow stump, or tree. The young are comfortably dressed in white down, but they are not pretty. They are as awkward as their parents, and have a way of hanging their heads as if they were ashamed of themselves. That is not the reason, however; their work is something we could not do without. It is because they are too weak to hold themselves up.
I once saw a funny sight. A party of eighteen or twenty great buzzards had come to the ground to get their dinner. They were all very busily engaged just the other side of a fence, so that I could not see them at their feast.
Suddenly a mockingbird that I was watching flew over and alighted on the fence. He stood there a minute, looking sharply down at them, and flirting his tail in a saucy way. All at once, to my great surprise, he gave a loud cry and flung himself down right among the great birds.
I was frightened. I thought one peck from one of their strong beaks would kill the little fellow. But instead of that, the whole party ofbuzzards flew up in a panic, as if they were afraid of him. Then the mockingbird, who looked like a midget beside them, hopped back upon the fence, and burst into a loud song of victory. He knew the turkey buzzard better than I did. No one likes to get very near this bird, so very little is known about his ways.
FOOTNOTE:[29]SeeAppendix, 28.
[29]SeeAppendix, 28.
[29]SeeAppendix, 28.
CHARACTERS OF THE NORTH AMERICAN REPRESENTATIVES OF THE FAMILIES MENTIONED IN THIS BOOK
Note.—These characters, though correct, are untechnically given, and are such as may be observed on the "bird in the bush" while the added hints on habits, etc., will be found helpful in identification.
Note.—These characters, though correct, are untechnically given, and are such as may be observed on the "bird in the bush" while the added hints on habits, etc., will be found helpful in identification.
1. Turdidæ:Thrushes.
Medium size; bill shorter than head, straight or nearly so; bristles (hair-like feathers) at corner of mouth; wings rather pointed, and longer than tail; tail-feathers wider towards the end, the whole somewhat fan-shaped. Young in first feathers speckled and streaked, very different from the adults. Sexes nearly alike (except robin, varied thrush, and bluebird). (Ridgway.)
Food: insects, earthworms, and sometimes fruit.
These birds are all singers and build rude nests. Found usually on the lower part of trees in the woods (except robin and bluebird) or on the ground, where they get most of their food.
2. Sylviidæ:KingletsandGnatcatchers.
This family is divided into two subfamilies.
Kinglets: Very small; bill slender, much shorter than head, straight to near tip, then slightly curved; bristles at corner of mouth; wings longer than tail; tail slightly forked, feathers pointed; legs long; claws much curved. Young without markings on head. (Ridgway.)
Food: insects.
Very small, active, musical birds, usually found flitting about in trees.
Gnatcatchers: Very small and slim; bill slender and short, nearly as long as head, notched at tip; bristles at corner of mouth; wings shorter than tail and rounded; tail long and moderately graduated, feathers rounded; legs rather long; toes small. (Ridgway.)
Active, beautiful nest builders, found in the tops of trees. Insectivorous.
3. Paridæ:Nuthatches,Titmice, etc.
This family is divided into three subfamilies.
Nuthatches: Smaller than English sparrow; bill sharp, pointed, higher than wide, about as long as head; bristles over nostrils; wings pointed; tail very short, nearly even, feathers soft; legs stout. (Ridgway.)
Parents nearly alike; food, insects.
Found on the trunks and large limbs of trees.
Titmice: Usually smaller than English sparrow; bill stout, conical, shorter than head; nasal feathers turned forward; tail longer than wing. (Ridgway.)
Food: insects. Parents alike, and young the same. No noticeable change of plumage with season.
Wren-TitsandBush-Tits: Very small; bill short and conical; tail rounded. Sexes alike.
4. Certhiidæ:Creepers.
Smaller than English sparrow; bill slender and curved downward; wings rather pointed, long as tail; tail graduated, stiff, with long, sharp-pointed feathers; claws long and strongly curved. (Ridgway.)
Food: insects. Sexes alike, and young the same. Found circling tree trunks.
5. Troglodytidæ:WrensandMocking Thrushes.
This family is divided into two subfamilies.
Wrens: Smaller than English sparrow; bill slender, sometimes long and arched; no bristles at corner of mouth; wings rounded; tail usually held up. (Ridgway.)
Parents and young alike. Food: insects. Singers. Found near the ground.
Mocking Thrushes: Larger than English sparrow; bill slender, mostly rather long; bristles at corner of mouth; wings rounded; tail longer than wings; appear like thrushes; fine singers. (Ridgway.)
Sexes nearly alike. Food, insects and fruit. Some of them found in bushy borders of woods, some about gardens and houses, and others in various places.
6. Cinclidæ:Dippers.
Larger than English sparrow; bill slender, shorter than head; wings short, stiff and rounded; tail shorter than wings, soft and square; claws strongly curved; plumage soft and compact; body stout, thickset. Sexes alike. (Coues.)
Food: water insects and larvæ. Found in and about the brooks of the Rocky Mountains and other mountains of the West.
7. Motacillidæ:WagtailsandPipits.
Larger than English sparrow; bill slender, cone shaped, nearly as high as wide, at base; short bristles at corner of mouth; wings rather long and pointed; tail narrow and slightly forked; legs rather long; hind claw very long, sharp and slightly curved. (Ridgway.)
Sexes alike. Food: insects. Found on the ground, where they walk, and wag their tails.
8. Mniotiltidæ:Warblers.
It is almost impossible to characterize this family, there are so many varieties. With few exceptions they are very small and beautifully colored birds, sexes unlike, and changes of plumage with age and season. Some are found in the tops of trees, some on bushes, and some on the ground. Food: insects. (Coues.)
9. Vireonidæ:Vireos.
Generally smaller than an English sparrow, and more slender; bill notched in both mandibles; tail rather short, nearly even, of narrow feathers; front toes more or less united. (Ridgway.)
Food: insects. Constant singers. Sexes alike and young the same, without spots or streaks. Some found in trees in the woods, and others about towns where English sparrows are not too numerous.
10. Laniidæ:Shrikes.
Larger than an English sparrow; bill powerful, tip hooked and notched; wings short, rounded; tail long and much graduated. (Ridgway.)
Food: insects, small mammals, and sometimes birds. Sexes alike, and young the same. Found on outside of low trees, fences, telegraph wires, and peaks of roofs.
11. Ampelidæ:Waxwings, etc.
Somewhat larger than an English sparrow; bill short, broad and rather flat; head with pointed crest; wings long and pointed; tail short, narrow, even; legs of moderate length. (Ridgway.)
Food: insects and fruit. Sexes usually alike. Found in trees in woods and in shade and orchard trees.
12. Hirundinidæ:Swallows.
About the size of an English, sparrow; bill short, flat, and very broad at the head; mouth opens back nearly to the eyes; wings long and scythe shaped; tail forked; legs short; feet weak; plumage compact and usually lustrous. (Ridgway.)
Food: insects. Sexes usually alike, and young a little different. Found in flocks, in the air, on roofs or fences or telegraph wires, sometimes on trees.
13. Tanagridæ:Tanagers.
Larger than an English sparrow; bill conical, notched, bristles; wings longer than tail; tail of moderate length, somewhat notched; legs rather short. (Ridgway.)
Food: insects. Sexes unlike. Found on trees in the woods.
14. Fringillidæ:Finches.
Mostly about the size of an English sparrow, some smaller, some larger; bill short, high, and strong, turned down at the back corner; wings and tail variable. (Ridgway.)
Seed and insect eaters. Found everywhere—on trees, bushes, on ground, in woods, fields, and about houses.
15. Icteridæ:Blackbirds,Orioles, etc.
Larger than an English sparrow; bill straight or gently curved; mouth turned down at corners; tail rather long and rounded; legs rather short. Includes birds of very different habits. (Ridgway.)
Food: seeds and insects. Sexes generally unlike. Found everywhere, on trees, in marshes, in woods. Many gregarious, found in flocks, some except in nesting season, and others all the year round.
16. Corvidæ:CrowsandJays.
Larger than a robin. There are two subfamilies.
Crows: Bill longer than head; wings long and pointed; tail rather short and even.
Jays: Bill shorter than head; wings short and rounded. (Ridgway.)
Food: almost everything—seeds, fruit, sometimes eggs and young birds. Found in woody places.
17. Alaudidæ:Larks.
Larger than an English sparrow; bill short, conical, frontal feathers extend along the side; wings pointed; claw on hind toe very long and nearly straight. (Ridgway.)
Food: insects. Sexes nearly alike. Found on ground in fields and roads.
18. Tyrannidæ:Flycatchers.
Mostly larger than an English sparrow; bill broad, flattened, curved downward at end, and notched at tip; bristles along the gape; wings and tail variable. (Ridgway.)
Entirely insectivorous. Found in woods and fields and about houses.
19. Trochilidæ:Hummingbirds.
Our smallest birds; bill slender, sharp, and straight, usually longer than head; wings long and pointed; legs short; feet small and weak; claws curved and sharp. (Ridgway.)
Food: tiny insects and the honey of flowers. Sexes unlike. Found about flowers.
20. Micropodidæ:Swifts.
About the size of an English sparrow; bill very small,triangular, much broader than high, without bristles; wings long and pointed; legs short; feet weak; tail very short, ending in stiff spines; plumage compact. (Ridgway.)
Food: entirely insects. Sexes alike. Found in the air or inside chimneys or hollow trees.
21. Caprimulgidæ:Goatsuckers.
Larger than a robin; bill very short; gape enormously long and wide; mouth open to behind the eyes; wings long; plumage soft. (Ridgway.)
Food: insects. Sexes nearly alike. One species found in the edge of woods, and another species about towns.
22. Picidæ:Woodpeckers.
Larger than an English sparrow; bill usually straight, pointed or chisel-shaped at tip; tongue extensile and except in one species barbed at point; tail stiff and feathers pointed at tip for a prop; toes, except in three-toed species, two forward and two backward for climbing. (Ridgway.)
Insectivorous. Sexes unlike. Found on trees (except one species) in woods or orchards.
23. Alcedinidæ:Kingfishers.
Usually larger than a robin; bill long and straight; tongue small; head large, crested; wings short; legs small; outer and middle toe united half their length. (Ridgway.)
Food: fishes. Sexes slightly unlike. Found by water.
24. Cuculidæ:Cuckoos.
Larger than a robin; bill narrow and high, rather longand curved downward; wings long; tail long, soft, and rounded; toes in pairs. (Ridgway.)
Insectivorous. Sexes alike. Found on trees.
25. Bubonidæ:Owls.
Mostly larger than a robin, a few smaller; bill hooked; eyes directed forward and surrounded by radiating feathers; plumage soft and lax; feathers beside forehead often stand up like ear tufts; legs usually feathered; feet sometimes feathered. (Ridgway.)
Sexes alike. Flesh eaters. Usually nocturnal. Most species found in holes in trees or old buildings.
26. Strigidæ:Barn Owls.
Much larger than a robin; bill hooked; eyes very small; triangular-shaped eye disk; tail emarginate; claws sharp and strong; very downy plumage. (Ridgway).
Food: mice and other small mammals. Sexes alike. Exclusively nocturnal. Found in barns and deserted buildings.
27. Falconidæ:Hawks and Eagles.
(There are several subfamilies.)
Mostly very large birds; bill strongly hooked; eyes directed sideways; eyelids with lashes; toes never feathered. (Ridgway.)
Carnivorous and insectivorous. Sexes usually alike, but female larger.
28. Cathartidæ:American Vultures.
Large as a turkey, one species much larger; whole head and sometimes neck bare of feathers; eyes prominent; tail rounded. (Ridgway.)
Food: carrion. Found sailing about in the air.
References to theFirst Bookare indicated by1; those to theSecond Bookby2.