OUR FEATHERED FAMILIES:

THE BIRDS OF PREY.

BEING

An Anecdotal and Descriptive Account

OF

THE RAPACIOUS BIRDS OF BRITAIN.

With a Chapter on Ancient and Modern Hawking.

BY H. G. ADAMS,

Author of 'The Wild Flowers, Birds, and Insects of the Months,' 'The Young Naturalist's Library,' 'Favourite Song-Birds,' &c.

With about Fifty Illustrations by F. W. Keyl, Harvey, and others.

LONDON: JAMES HOGG AND SONS.

189.c. 230

18/3. 100.c.131.

PREFACE.

THT

HE second volume of descriptive sketches of the Feathered Families of Britain is here presented, with a title sufficiently distinctive to render it complete in itself, although associated in its general heading with the preceding volume, as well as with that which is to follow it.

In this volume we have included some species which are not usually called or considered Birds of Prey,' but it was necessary that they should be placed in one of the three divisions under which 'Our Feathered Families' had to be arranged; and this seemed the most appropriate for them. Just as in the preceding volume all are not Song Birds,' and as in that which is to follow all will not be 'Game Birds and Wild Fowls,' yet the titles chosen are sufficiently characteristic, and expressive of the contents of the several divisions for our present purpose.

A strictly scientific arrangement of our subjectmatter, it will be seen, we have not attempted, our aim having been rather to give popular and amusing descriptions of the feathered inhabitants of these islands than to furnish a text-book for the ornithological student; yet have we kept in view the

natural affinities of the creatures described, and so grouped them as that their relationship towards each other, and place in the great system of nature, may be understood.

Departing from the rule which generally obtains in ornithological works, of giving precedence to the Birds of Prey, we preferred first offering to our readers an account of those of our feathered families which contain the more gentle and attractive members, such as are best known and beloved familiar, household friends and favourites.

our

Here we have, for the most part, fierce and rapacious creatures, visiting man only for purposes of plunder, and viewed by him with dread and suspicion. Yet are they all worthy of attentive study and of admiration ;—beautiful exceedingly in their forms and motions, and gifted with powers and faculties which eminently fit them for the work which they have to perform in the economy of nature.

The feathered tyrants of the upper air,

Sharp-taloned, swift of wing, and keen of sight,
That dwell upon the mountains lone and bare,
And but for prey upon the plains alight;

And those on noiseless wings that through the night
Flit ghost-like, or, from ruined wall and tower,
Shriek in the moonshine, filling with affright
The slave to superstition's baleful power;
And those dire foes to the whole insect race,
That with the summer sunshine come and go,
Ever aloft, intent upon the chase,

Or o'er the pond and meadow skimming low ;-
All yield instructive lessons, and delight
To him who reads great Nature's book aright.