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.