/AUL r| U>, IK'' Tv-" ft — JIEST BOOKS OF NATURAL HISTORY. ELEMENTS OF ORNITHOLOGY: PREPARED FOK THE USE OF SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES, W. S. W. RUSCHENBERGER, M.D. Surgeon in the U. S. ITavy ; Fellow of the College wf Hiyeiciims; Hci2. Member of the Philadelphia Medical Society ; Memher of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, ko. && FROM THE TEXT OF MILNE EDWARDS, AND ACHILLE COMTE, PEOFESSORS OP NAIUEAL HISTOKY IM THE COLLEOiS OF HENKl ly, AND CBiRLEMAOHE. TWITH PIRATES. PH-ILADELPHIA: LIPPINCOTT, GRAMBO & 00. 1854. ALBERT R. MANN LIBRARY AT CORNELL UNIVERSITY THE GIFT OF Waldemar Fries IV3i oi o= Oi yii 001 rv)| col roi o 1- [ O) : ■«J I CO in; gg sn (DO = 3 ft° ■ o wg is. s;i So n II I 11 g io 3 IS I Cornell University Library The original of tliis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924000582332 Plate 8. Anatomy. — Beaks. HVSCBEKBEIIGER'S SERIBS. FIRST BOOKS OF NATUEAL HISTOKY. ELEMENTS OF ORNITHOLOGY: PREPARED FOR THE USE OF SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES, W. S. W. RUSCHENBERGER, M.D. , SurgstaS in the U. S. Navy; Fellow of Ae"" College of Physicians , Hon. . Member of tlis Philadelphia Medical Society; Member of the - Aoademy of Natural Soienoes of Philad,elphia, &c.. 6bq. FROM THE TEXT OF MILNE EDWARDS, AND ACfllLLE COMTE, mOFESSOBS OF KATtTRAL HISTOET IN THE COLLEGES -^ OF EENBI IT, AND CHARLEMAGNE. WITH FIiAT ES PHILADELPIIIA: J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO. 1855. fintered, accoTding to t)i« Act of Congress, in Use year 1842, by W. S. W. RUSOHENBERGER, M.D., in the clerk's office of the District Court of the United States in and for tha Elastem District of Pennsylvania. T. K. AMD p. a. COLLIKS, PKINTERS. (4) ORNITHOLOGY. CONTENTS LESSON I. Class of Birds. — Zoological characters of Birds.— Peculiarities of organi. zation. LESSON II. Eggfl. — Incubation. — ^Nests. — Migration. — Classi6cation. LESSON III. Order of Accipitres. — Zoological characters. — Habits. — Division into two families. Family of Diurnte. — ^Zoorogical characters and habits of Vultures, (Yellow Vulture, King of the Vultures, Condor, Peronpptorus of Egypt). — Grif- fins. — Genus of Falcons. — Division into two groups, noble and igno- ble. — Falconry, (Common Falcon). — Eagles. — Fisher-Eagles. — Spai. row-hawks.-^ICites.— ^Buzzards. — Harriers.-^Characters and habits. . Family of Nocturnae. — Charaotersi'and habits. — (Owls.^Strix. — Due). LESSON IV. Order of Passerines. — Zoological characters. — Habits.— Division into five families. ^ , FamHy of Dontirostres. — Shrikes, Flycatchers, Cotingas, Blackbirds, Thrushes, Wster-thruahes, Orioles, Lyres, Warblers, (such as the Nightingale, Linnet^, and VVrcns.) Family of Fissirostres, (Swallows). — Habits. — (Swallow, properly so called, Martin). — Goatsuckers — Habits. Family of Conirosires. — Larks. — Titmouse.— Buntings — Sparrows. — Crows, (Crow properly so called, .Jackdaw, Magpie, Jay) Birds of Paradise. LESSON V. Family of Tenuirostres. — Nuthatches. — Creepers. — Humming-birds. Fataily of Syndactyloe. — Bee-eaters. — Kingfishers. — Hornbills. Order of Scansorise. — Zooloaical characters. — Woodpeckers. — Wrynecks. — Cuckoos. — Toucans. — Parrots — Habits, (Maccaw, Paroquets, Parrots properly so called.) ORNITHOLOGY. LESSON VI. Order oftrallinaceee. — Zoological characters. — Habits^Hoccos. — ^Peacocks, (Common Peacock).— TurEey. — Guinea-fowl. — Genus of Pheasants (The Common Cook, Common Pheasant, Golden Pheasant. — Genus of Grouse (The Great Heath-cock, Partridge, Quail). — Genus of Pigeons. Habits.— Carrier-pigeons, LESSON VII. Order of Grallatoria:. — ^Zoological characters. — Habits. — Division into eight families. Family of Brevipennes. — Ostrich. — Organization. — Habits. — Cassowaries. Family of Pressirostres. — Bustards.^Ploversv^Lapwings. Family of Cultrirostres. — Cranes, (Common Crane). — Herons, (Common Heron). — Storks, (Common Stork). — SpoonbilL Family of Longirostres. — Genus of Curlews.^ — Ibis, (Sacred Ibis).^-Suipe, (Woodcock, Common Snipe). — The Avoseta, » Family of Macrodaictyli. — ^Rails.— Water Hens. Family of Flamingos. — Common Flamingos. — Habits. LESSON Vlll. Order of Palmipedes. — -ZoqlogiGal characters. — Habits. — Division into four families. Family of Divers. — Grebes.— Au^ Penguins. Family of Longipennes. — Petrels. — ^Albatross. — Gulls. — Sea-swailows. Family of Totipalmatte. — Genus of Pelicans, (Pelican properly 80calle4).— Organizition. — Habits. — Frigate bir.(l. — Boobies. Family of Lamellirostres. — Genus of Ducks. — Swans. — Geese. — Ducks.— Eiders. — Genus of the Merganser. ORNITHOLOGY. PREFACE. The following Primer, or First Book of Ornithology, has been Called " Third Book of Natural History," because it is the third of the series, and, like' its predecessors, is only designed to initiate those who wish to study this very interesting braneh of Natural History. It presents a general, and almost synoptical view of the subject, and will be (blind, I hope, W feCalltale the studies Of thos6 whb may wish to learn. It toietrely points the way to more extended knowledge, the arajnisition of whidh must always depend more on the inclination and industry of the student, than upon the facilities he may possess.- The hotiiely comparison of the horse lead to the stream may be referred to as illustrative of the neces- sity for the presence of zeal and industry, in ordei to acquire knowledge:— the mere possession' of the very best books will be of no use, — will impart no information, unless they be referred to, read, or studied. Teachers who are so disposed, will find in these pages, ample oppor. tunities of painting out to those they instruct, the beautiful adaptation of the organization of every living thing, to the mode of life it is designed to observe! and the kind of food upon which it was pre-ordered it should live. To point out, or even allude to this universal adaptation of every thing in nature, to the puposes for which it was designed by the benefi- cent Creator, would have carried us far beyond our limits, and injured our design of presenting, in » very short space, as many facts as possi- ble, without obscuring the view of the division, arrangement, or classifi- cation, a knowledge of which it is the great object of these little books to teach. Yet, this can be advantageously done verbally, by every teacher, and his pupils will soon learn that once becoming acquainted with the general anatomy and physiology of an animal, whether it walk upon the dry land, float through the air, or seek the ocean depths, its mode of life and general habits are immediately discovered. This fact will become more clearly manifest as we proceed in the series, and in the end, the student will coroprehgnd how_.Geologists are able to deduce, not only the habits of the animal, but alsp the form of the animal itself, by the ex- amination of only a few of its bones. 1* PREFACE, Although the works of M.M. Edwards and Comte are the chief sources from which the materials of these Primers have been derived, others have been freely used, and tbelslassification and arrangement of the great Cuvier, have been strictly adhered to. With the view of assisting the student in understanding and remem- bering the systematic names, their etymologies- have been added in the Glossary. And, in as much as %11 persons who are desirous of studying Natural History, are not acquainted with the Latin and Greek languages, the words from the latter have been given in italics, in preference to using the proper Greek characters, and the omega, where it occurs, has been designated thus, & . - It is not designed that the questions at the foot of the page shall be answered by repeating the text from memory; the pupil should be able to give the facts^ in hi's own language, and show he understands the Subject. The Plates were engraved by Mr. G, Thomas, No. 37 South Third Street, Philadelphia." Fbiladelphia, April IStb, 18^ ORNITHOLOGY: THE NATURAL HISTORY OF BIRDS. J.ESSON I. CiAss OP &RDS. — Zoological Characters aj Birds.— ^Peculiari- ties tt^ their Organization, GENERAL NOTIONS ABOUT BIRDS, Of the Organization of Birds. 1 . The Class of Birds comprises all vertebrate animals that are the best organized for flying. They are readily distitignished by the general form of the body, and by the feathers with which they are covered ; but the most important cliaracters possessed by them, consist in the structure of their internal organs, and the, manner in which their various fonctions are performed. 2. In fact, they are oviparous vertebrata, in which the circula- tion is double and complete : the heart has four cavities; the blood is warm, and the respiration is aerial, and double. 3. To distinguish them from other vertebrate animeds, it is only neCessary to say, they have a complete circulation and a double aerial respiration^ or simply to remember that they are the only oviparous vertebrata having warm blood, 4. The general form of birds' varies very little, and is in rela- tion to the mode of locomotion which is peculiar to them. They rarely attain a. very large size, and their abdominal or posterior extremities are especially designed for standing and walking, 1. What animals compose the clasa of birds? By what characters ara birds readily distinguished-ftom other animals 7 In what important particu- tars do birds differ from other animals ? 2. What are birds ? What is the character of the circolation in birds 1 How many cavities has theheaj't ? Are birds cold blooded animals 7 What is the character of the restoration in birds 7 3. How are birds disting&ished from other vertebrate animals 7 4. What is remarkefl of the general form, of birds f To what purposes are the lower extremiti6»;of birds applied 7 What' are the functions per. formed by tlieir superior, or tfaora(iic extremities 7 What are these eztremi> ties called? 12 SKELETON OF BIRDS. while the thoracic or anterior extremities never serve them for walking, nor for prehension, nor for touch ; but they form a sort of broad oars, named wings, which, by sinking the air, sustain and cause the animal to move in it. ^ ■ 5. The SkeletoS, [PJate \,fig. 1.) >^iich determines the generaLform of the body, and which is, at the same time, one o| the most important parts of the apparatus of motion, is com- posed of nearly the same bones as that of the mammalia ;' but their form and disposition vary. 6. The head is small, the bones of the crantftm are soldered - together at an early period of life, and the .face is formed almost entirely by the jaws which are very much elongated and consti- tute a beak. The superior mandible or jaw is articulated with the cranium, in - such a manner as to allow some mobility, and the lower mandible, in place jof being articulated directly with the cranium, as is the case in mammalia, is suspended from a moveable bone, called the square or tynnpanic bone, which'is articulated with the •petrous bone; [this mode of articjilation of the lower, jaw is met with also in other oviparous vertebrate animals, that i^, in fishes and reptiles ] These mandibles are composed of many pieces, and are enveloped in a horny substance which takes the^ place of teeth.. 7. The articulation of the head with the vertebral column is much more moveable thap it is in mammals, and is effected through the means of a single rounded eminence, (called con- dyle,) while in the mammalia .there are always two of these condyles. This arrangement enables the bird to direct his face entirely and completely backwards. > • 8. The neck of birds is also very moveable ; and as these ani- mals generally take their food from the ground with their beak, the length of this part or their body is necessarily in proportion to the height at which they are placed on their legs, This is in; 5. In what respect does the skeleton of birds differ from that of niammala ? 6. What is remarked of the head of birds 7 What forms the face ? How does the articulation of the upper jaw with the cranium differ in birds, from the same articulation in the mammalia 7 What is the peculiarity" of the articulatioh of the lower jaw in birds? With what bono does the square. tone articulate ? Is this mode of articulation of the lower jaw peculiar to bird^ ? How are these mandibles composed ? 7. What is the peculiarity of the articulation of the head (of birds) with the vertebral column ? What is the advantage resulting from tliis ariange- ment? 8. Upon what circumstances does the length of the neck seem to depend 7 What is the most common number of cervical 'vertetirse in birds ? How^ many cervrcal vertejjrse has the Swan 7 How many has the Sparrow ? Are the b(rne3 of the neclc very moveable on each other J _ SKELETON OF THE TRUNK. 13 deed almost always observed. The number of cervical verte- bra varies much ; most ge^ierally there are twelve or fifteen ; but sometimes we find a much larger number, and at others, not so many ; the Swan has twentj-three, and the gparrow only nine.. These bones are always very moveable on each other, -and from the disposition of their articular surfaces, the neck may be bent like the letter S, and, consequently, be, elongated or shortened accordingly as the curves are diminished or increased. 9. The bony frame of the /runA is very solid ; in birds that fly, (and with the exception of a very few, they all possess this faculty-,) the vertebrae of the back, which necessarily support the ribs, and consequentls'' afford a point of support for the wings, are entirely immoveable: and are frequently andiylo.sed, fhat is, soldered together ; the lumbar and sacral vertebrae are all united into one bone, having the same uses as the sacrupa in the mam- nxalia : finally, the coccygian vertebrae are small and moveable ; the. last one, which sustains the large tail feathers, is ordinarily larger than the others and marked by a projecting spine or crest iO. ^he ribs of birds also possess some peculiarities of struc; ture which tend to increase the strength of the thorax ; but the njost remarkable part of the bony frame of this division 'Of the body is the sternum, which, affording points of origin for the chief muscles of flighf, becomes very much developed, and con- stitues a broad shield or breast-plate, which extends far back over the abdomen, and almost always presents a sort of very prominent and longitudinal crest or keel, called brisket. ( Plate l,j^g. 2.) It is remarked that this shield is most aeveloped and most completely ossified in those birds that fly best. 11. The bones of the shoulders are disposed in a manner most favourable for the power of the wings ; they are three in number, namely; a Scapula, a Clavicle, and a Coracoid Hone. The Scapula is much elongated ; the Clavicle is anchylosed with that of the opposite side, so as to form a bone resembling in shape, the letter Y, the point of which rests against the Sternum ; the Coracoid bone, or posterior clavicle, is a sort of second clavicle, which, in the mammalia, is rudimentary and confounded with the Scapula, but here becomes very strong, consituting a buttress placed between the articulation of the shoulder and the sternum. 9. What is remarked of the skeleton of the trunk? Are the vertebroe of the Bpinal column moveable on each other ? 10. What is remarkable of the sternum of birds ? What is the brisket? What renders it necessary that the sternum should be large? 11. How many bones beteng to the shoulder? What are they? What is the form and situation of the clavicle ? What is the coracoid bone t What is its situation 1 What is the advantage^ derived' from the Jouble clavicles in birds 1 „ „ 14 BONES OF THE EXTREMlTlKS. , These double clavicles maintain the shoulders apart in spite of the violent force applied in a contrary direction by the exercise of the wings, which is greater the stronger the flight. 12. The wing of the bird corresponds to the anterior extremity of mammals, and is also composed of three principal parts, namely : the arm, the fore-arm, and the hand. The arm con- sists of a humerus which is not particularly remarkable; the fore-arm which consists of a radius and an ulnaj corresponds in its length with the strength of the flight of the bird ; and the hand is reduced to a sort of stump, which serves for the inser- tion of the large feathers of the wing : there is distinguished a range of carpal bones, a bone in the form of a style which rep- resents the thirtnb, a single metacarpal bone sustains a finger with two phalanges, and the vest^es of a third finger which is represented by a small styloid bone. 13. The lower extremities of birds are designed solely for support and fiS* walking; sometimes they become the organs of natation, and there are some of these aniitials that employ them for the prehension of aKment. The bones of the haunches are Wrongly developed; they are attached to the neighbouring part of the vertebral colurtin, so as to forhi with it a single piece, arid the bony belt which results from this assemblage, and which is called the pelvis, remains almost always incomplete in front. The femur is shoi;t and directed forward ; the tibia is strong,and the fibula is reduced -to a mere bony style. The tarsus atid metatarsus are represented by a single bone, the length of which determines the height of the bird tin its legs. The number of toes varies from four to two ; almost always there are three directed for- ward and one backwards. The number of phalanges ordinarily increases from two to five, from the hind toe or thumb, to the fourth toe. We therefore count two phalanges for the thumb or great toe, three for the internal toe, four for the middle toe, and five for the external. 14. In swimming birds the toes are palmate, that is, united by membranes sufficiently broad to allow them to separate from each other; and. when spread, to form a sort of paddle. In those that 12. How does the wing of a Mrd differ from the anterior extreniity of a mamnml ? How does the hand refemble that of a niammal 7 13. To what purposes are the lower extremities appfied? How does the pelvis of birds differ from that of mammals? Is the fibula complete in birds 7 How are the tarsus and metatarsus formed 7 What is the number of toes 7 How many phalanges have the toes 7 14. How are the feet of swimming birds characterised 7 What is rem4rk. able in the feel of climbing birds 7 How are the feet tif wading birds dis- tinguished 7 How is it that birda can sleep while 'Standing on the limbs of trees without falling 7 FEATHERS. IS climb best, two toes are directed forward and two backwards , and in those that wade in rivers, marshes, &C;, in search of fishes or worms, the tarsi are so long that the animal Seems to be mounted on stilts. In all these animals there isa peculiar mech- anisrh, by means of which, when they are perched upon a branch, the weight of the body tends to flex their toes, and consequently to make them closely embrace the object in their grasp; an arrangement which permits them to repose iti the standing posi- tion without any risk of falling while asleep. 15. Thereof Aers with which the body of birds is covered, serve to protect them against cold and damp ; and they are also powerful means of locomotion. They are composed of a horny staflk, hollow at the base, and armed with beards, which them- selves, have still smaller beards upon them : they are formed by secreting organs which are analogous in their nature to those which produce the hairs ih mammalia. [The secreting organ destined to form a feather is called a capsule, and often acquires considerable length. According -to the observations of M. P.' Cuvier, it would appear that the capsule grows during the whole period occupied in the developement of the feather, and that in proportion as its base elongates, its extremity dies • and becomes dry, the moment it has formed the corresponding portion of this appendix. Each one of these little apparatuses is composed _of a cylindrical sheath, lined internally by two coats or tunics, united by oblique partitions, and a central bulb. The stibstance of the feather is deposited on the bulb, and to form the beards, it is moulded in some way, in the spaces that the little partitions, we have just mentioned, leave between them ; in the portion corres- ponding to the stalk, the bulb is in relation with the internal surface of the stailk, and after having there deposited a spongy substance it dries and perishes : but at the part where the stalk or trunk of the feather is tubular, the lamina of horny matter which this secre- ting organ deposites, is shaped or moulded around itself; and is completely enveloped in it; nevertheless, the bulb, after it has discharged its functions, dries, and forms, in perishing, a series of membranous cones, lodged one in the other like a nest of boxes, which fill the interior of the tube, and are called the tout of the feather, or quill. It). The new feather is at first enclosed in the sheath of its capsule which frequently projects several inches beyond the skin, and is gradually destroye^.; the feather then appears naked, and its beards display themsel ves laterally; the extremit y of its 15. What are the ueea of the feathers ? How arc they jbrmed ? 16. Do birds shed their feathers '! 2 Missing Page Missing Page 18 LOCOMOTION. these organs so frequently, and therefore do not become so readily fatigued: and, in fact, all birds remarkable for rapfd and long sustained flight have large wings, while those that have ghort or moderate wings, compared with the volume of'their body, fly less swiftly and require rest more frequently. To rise vertically, it is necessary that the wings of the bird should be entirely horizontal, but this is not ordinarily the case; in general they are inclined from front to rear so as to impart to the animal an obliquely ascending movement ; sometimes, even this inclination is such, that, to mount nearly vertically, into the atmosphere, the bird is obliged to fly against the wind. The, length of the remiges influences the facility with which he can rise in a calm air; birds that have the anterior remiges longest, and most resisting at their extremi|jf^ fly more obliquely, than those in which the wings are truncated at the end.] 19. The feathers of the* tail also assist in flight, but in a ^3if- ferent way j. the bird makes use of them as a nidder to direct its course. The number of the feathers which perform this office is ordinarily twelve, and they are called reetriceS, and the name of couecfs of the tail, is given to those feathers which cover their base. [We have seen that, during flight, the centre of gravity of the bird should be near the shoulders ; in order that he may preserve his balance on his logs, which are placed near the posterior part of the trunk, these organs must be flexed considerably ibrwardj and the toes must be sufficiently long, to be in advaiice of the point where the vertical line should fall that passes through the centre of gravity, or the centre of gravity must oe carried behind, so as to be above the base of support. (See Urst Book of Naturnl Histoiy, I'aye 92.) This explains the utility of the^reat - flexion of the tliigh and the obliquity of the tarsus oii the "leg; when the foot is large and the neck can be bent so as to carry the head behind, the equilibrium is thus establishea without, the body being thrown much out of the horizontal position; but when the neck is short and toes of moderate lengtn, the animal is obliged, while standing or walking, to assume an almost vertical position. It is fbr the purpose of more easily preserving tiieir equilibrium, that birds generally place their heads under their wing, while they sleep, perched on one leg, In- most of these animals this position is i^ndered sfhgularly commodious by a peculiarity in the structure of the knee ; in man and most ani- mals, the extremities bend under the weight of the body the 19. How do tho realhera ot tho till assist in flig|it ? What are the reclrices ? What is tlieir number ? THE SICNSES— BRAIN.— VOICE. 19 moment their extensor muscles cease t6 contract, and it is the continued contraction of these organs that renders standing so fatiguing ; but iti the stork and other birds with long legs, it is otherwise; the lower extremity of the femur has a hollow or excavation which, during the extension of the limb, receives a projection of the tibia, which cannot escape from it without a muscular effbrt ; the leg once in position, it remains extended, without the animal havingany necessity to contract his muscles, and- without his experiencing any fatigue. 20. The sense of touch in birds is necessarily dull, on account of the nature of their integuments. The sense of taste also appears to be obtuse in rtiost of these animals : and in (act, their tongue is almost always TiartLand horny. In general, the same is true in respect to the senseTjf smell ; sometimes, however, this sense appears to be very delicate ; foft we observe that birds of prey direct themselves by the odour alone to carrion, placed at too great a distance for them to perceive It, notwithstanding the great perfection of their sight. 21. Generally this last sense is more developed in'birds than in all other animals. There is ibund at the, back part of the eye a plaited membrane, called pecieii or marsvpium, which projects from the retina towards the crystalline lens, and seerhs to be of a nervous nature ; it is also remarked that the anterior face of the ball of the eye- is .strertgthened by a circle of bony pieces, lodged in the thickness of the sclerotica, ahd besides the two ordinary eyelids, there is'al'ways, at the externar arigle of the eye, a third, named memhrana niditans, (winking membrane,) which may be drawn over the front of this organ like a curtain, 22. Birds have not, like most mammals, an external ear; nocturnal birds only, have a large external coHcha or pavilion, out it is not projecting; and the opening of the ear is generally concealed by feathers with fringed beards. 23. The hraiiiis less developed in birds than in most mam- mals, and differs from that of the latter in some important particulars, which we cannot enumerate at this time. 24. Finally, to. conclude witTi the functions of relation, we will add, that in birds the voice is chiefly formed in the inferior larynx, which is situate at the extremity of the trachea, where it bifurcates to form the bronchia. (Piute ^,/ig. 2.) In the sing- ing birds this organ is very complicated in its structure; we 20. Why is the sense of touch dull in birds? Why is the sense of tasta -usually obtuse ? Is the sense of smell veiy delicate I 31. In what particulars do the eyes ot hirdsdifl'er-from thoeof mammalB? S3. How does the organ of hearing in birds differ from that of mammaU ? S3. How duc.'i the brain of birds difFur from thut organ in other animals T 34. Where is the organ of voice situated in birds? 2* 20 ORGANS OF DIGESTION. observe elastic membranes stretched in its interior and a great number of niusoles, designed to move the solid pieces that com- pose it; but in those birds that do not modulate sounds, its structure is much more simple. 25. The organs, destined to perform' the various functions of nutrition Sre nearly the same as those in the mammalia.. - 26. The apparatus of digestion in the class of birds p(;esehts the greatest uniformity of structure : the most remarkable part of it is the existence^of three stomachs. Teeth are never found in these animals; their aliments which- are taken hold of by the beak, are generally swallowed without being divided ; and do not sojourn or pause in the mouth, as 13 the case in mammals ; they have no veil of the palate {oelum palati,) to close ibis cavity behind during mastication. {iiee,}Mts( Bnokof Natural History.) The form of the beak varies much, and is Always in relation to the nature of the food made use of by the bird ; for t^his reason it affords excellent marks or characters for the classification of these animals. Sometimes the upper mandible is hooked and fitted for tearing flesh, at others the bealc is short, straight and stout, suited tp breaking grains ; at other times again it is sfide and very open, to enable the bird to seize easily in its flight, those insects upon which it is destined to feed. 27. The tongue is slightly fleshy, and covered with horny papillae which serve to retain tfie food after, it has entered the mouth. The. os hyoides (hyoid bone) which supports this organ, is very much elongatea^ and terminates in two long delicate horns which curve round the posterior and superior part of the head, their length depending on the extensibility, of the tongue, {Plate \,fig. 3, and Plate 2,>"jr.'3.) 28. ThQ salioary gkmds are less numerous than in the mam. malia ; all are placed beneath the tongue, and are formed of small round grains, or granules. Generally the saliva is thick and viscid. 29. The oesophagus, ( Plate 2, fig^i.) descends along the neck, and generally presents, at its inferior part, a considerable dilata- tion called the c/-op or in^^avics ; this pouch, constitutes a first stomach which projects above the clavicles ; it is very large in granivorous birds and is met with in the Rapaces or birds of prey, but is wanting in the Ostrich, and in most piscivorous birds, and particularly those of the order of Grallatoriae. 25. Are the oignns of nutrition in bWs the s^me as in mammals.? 36. In what particuhirs does the apparatus of digestion differ from that of mammals 7 27. What are the characters of the loiigue in birds 7 28. Have birds salivary glanjis ? What is the character of the saliva qf birds 7 29. What is the c.-ip or inglunies ? Is a crop found in all birds 7 ORGANS OF DIGESTION. 21^ 30. Below the prop, the (esophagus becomes narrow and enters the thorax. Soon after entering the thorax it again dilates to form the second stomach, called proventricalas, or bulbus glandu- losiis. This cavity is remarkable for the great number of follicles ■which are lodged in the thickness of its parietes, and which secrete an acid liqaid (the gastric juice)^esigned to effect digestion. This ventricle is much larger, and more numerously supplied with glands, in those birds that have no crop, than in those/ that are provided with it. Internally, it opens into a third stomach, the - yizzard, which is of a globular form, and varies in structure ac- cording to the diet -or fopd of these animals. In gxanivorous birds its muscular parietes are very thick and strong, and it is lined inside by a kind of tJ^ick, hard epidermis which resembles horn ; in diurnal birds of gpy, on the contrary, it is very thin, and in some aquatic birds, such as Herons and Pelicans, it forms but a single sack with the second stomach. 31. The inti'itines of birds are not so long, generally, as those of the mammalia ; in most of these animals they are only two or three times the length of the body. The intestinal canal is divided into two portions, namely, the small and the large intes- tine, and hear the anus, it has two appendices, terminating in cul- de-sacs, called coecums. ' ■ . 32. The small intestine communicates with the gizzard by the opening of the pylorus, which Is situate very near the cardia, and is without valves. ,The bile is poured into this intestine hf two ducts, which alternate with two or three canals, through which passes the- pancreatic juice. 33. The secreting organ of the bile, the liner, is generally more voluminous than in mammals, and is divided into two nearly equal lobes. The gall-bbidder is ordinarily large, but in some birds, such as the Parnot, it is- entirely wanting. 34. The pancreas are also large, and are found in the first fold formed by the intestine. 35. The caecums vary much in length ; in the granivorous, and omnivorous birds, they are generally thick and long ; they are wanting in most of the diurnal birds ef prey,, but in the nocturnal birds of prey, they are, on the contrary, very large. 30. What constitutes the second stomach or ventricle in birds f What is the gizzard 7 Are the giz^atcls of all birds alike 1 31. What is the length of the intestinal canal in birds'? How is it divided 7 33. How docs the bile enter the small intestine ? 33. Is the gall bladder found in all birds 7 34. Where are the pancreas situated ? 35. Are the ccecums generally of the same elm 7 Are they always present in birds? y S3 CIRCULATION.— BESPIItATl ON. 36. The large intestine is very short, and terminates by a dilatation called cbtaca, which receives the urine as well as the 37. The chyle, derived from the digestion of food, is absorbed by the ohyliferbus vessels, which unite with the lymfihatic Vessels of the extremities to form two (Aoracic ducts, which 'raount in front of the vertebral column, and empty into the jugular veins, near the heart. 38. The blood of birds does not contain circular globules like that of mammals, but oval globules like those contained in the Dlood of reptiles and fishes. These solid particles are more abundant in birds than in otha" vertebrate animals, and the tem- perature of this liquid is higher than in the mammalia, which are nevertheless, warm blooded animalstv^!' '^ 39. The eirculation is carried on in the- sarne manner as in the mammalia; it is double and complete, that is, before reach- ing the point from which it departed, the blood passefe through two systems of capillary vessels, and all the venous blood is changed into arterial blood. ' ,; 40. Tlie heart has four cavities, namely : one ventHcle and one auricle placed on the left, and the same on the right side. The blood is forced by the left ventricle into the aorta, w'hich dis- tributes it to the capillary vessels of all parts of the body. This liquid then' returns to the' heart through the veins, and enters the right auricle, which .forces it into the*i'ight ventricle which is situate beneath it ; this last cavity, by contracting, senids (he blood to the lungs, through the. pulmonary artery ; from the pOlmonary artery the blood passes into the. capillary vessels of the.. lungs, where it is changed into arterial t>lo'od ; then it enters the pulmonary vein.s, and passing through them, reaches the left ^uricle; finally, the left auricle pours it into the lefl^ventricle, whence we have just seen it go forth to be distributed to all the organs. "41. Birds are distinguished from all other vertebrate animals by their mode of rcspuah'dw, which is aerial^ as it is in the mam- malia and reptiles; and ife'takes plac¬ only in the lungs, but also in the substance of all the other organs. In the mammalia 36. What is the cloaca ? . , *' . 37. What becomes of the diyle formed by the process of digestion? 38. What IK remafhahle abbuttbe g'lobulca in the blood of birds? 3y. Whatjs the character of the circulation in Ibirds? 40. What route is taken by tiiB blood in compfeling; its cifouit through the body 7 41. What are the peculiarities of rci;pifation in birds? In what reape&t do the lungs of birds differ from the same ^gans in mammals 7 HABITS OF BIRDS. 23 and in reptiles, the bronchte terminate in little cells, which all end in a cul-de-sac, and the air that enters the lungs cannot pass be- yond them» while in birds, the bronchiae and pulmonary cells communicate with the great cavities, and this fluid, in this manner, penetrates to all pafts of the body, even into the interior of the bones and feathers. {Plate 2, fig. I.) These cavities, by means of which the air is distributed to the different parts of the body, are formed of very thin laminae of cellular tissue, and are desig- nated under tb§ name of aerial pouch «. 42. Consequently, the blood comes in contact with the air in passing through the capiHary vessels of all the organs, as well as in passing through the capillary vessels of the lungs, and we might say that the respiration of these animals, as well as their circulation, is double. A bir^-consumes, projjortionably, more air than any other animal, and perishes more rapidly when its respi- ration Js interrupted. 43. The cavity of the thorax, which contains the heart and lungs, is not separated from the abdomen by a complete muscular partition, as in the mammalia; the diaphragm is rudimentary, and only occupies the sides of the body; but the lungs are adherent to the ribs* so that they are forced to dilate when these "bones separate from gajch other ; therefore, the movements of in- spiration and expi{|Etk>n are performed n^rly in the same manner as in the mammalia'. LESSON II. "Eggs, — i^uhation — NiiUs.-~Migration.—Cltissifi6ation. " -Habits of Birds. 1 . Birds, like, reptiles, fishes, and most of the invertebrate animals, (that is, w^hout vertebras,) are oviparous, that is, they lay eggs from which their young are hatched. 2. The Egg is first formed in an organ, named ovary, and descends (_Plate 2. fig. 4.) from it, through a long tube called oviduet; it consists at fi:rst of a mem'branous sack filled with yellow matter, and is not surrounded with the white till it reaches file oviduct, where it receives a more solid envelope which be- comes encrusted with a calcareous matter that constitutes the 42. What are the consequences of llie peculiarity of the respiratory ap- paratus ? 43. What is the character of the diaphragm in birds ? I. Why are birds said to be oviparous 7 S. How are eggs formed 7 24 INCUBATION— MDIFICATION. shell. Upon the membrane of the yolk, or yellow matter, we 'perceive a whitish point, which, in the course^of its developement, becomes the young animal, for-the nourishment or protection of which, all the other parts of the egg are destined. 3. In order that the young bird may be Heveloped in the in- terior of the egg, it must be maintained' at a certain degree of heat ; in very warm countries, the heat of the sun is sometimes sufficient to bring about this phenomenon, and there, certain birds abandon their eggs; but in most cases it is altogether different, and both parents or the mother alone, maintain the necessary heat by sitting on them. ' 4. The duration of incubation, (or the time required by the young bird to become -developed in the interior of the egg) varies in different species, but it is the sawne in all birds of the same species ; ii is from forty to forty-five days for Swans, twenty-ffve days for Ducks, twenty-one days for Hens, from twelve to fifteen days for domesticated Canary birds, and only twelve days for the Humming-bird. ' 5^ Almost all birds construct a nest, to receive their eggs and to serve as a dwelling for their young, which, during the early period of life, are unprovided with feathers, extremely delicate, and incapable of moving, and of feeding themselves. Generally there is displayed in these structures an art, an adroitness, and an elegance Which excite our admiration ; and one thing not less surprising is the regularity with whiclfall the successive genera- tions perform the same tasks, and build nests exactly alike, even under circumstances which prevent these animals from seeing and taking lessons from their parents ; a wpnderfuMnstlnct guides them, and induces them to take many precautions, all the utility of which they cannot anticipate, or appreciate before hand. 6. The form, arrangement, and placing of the nest, vary for almost every species of bird. That vsrhich is constructed by the largest birds of prey rests upon a flat surface afforded by some part of a rock, or on the platfoirm of some tail tower ; its extent is very considerable,* and every yeaV contributes to its increase, for it is rare for these birds to abandon their first monument o( maternal tenderness ; those that leave it, return periodically tf ' iay their eggs. This nest is frequently composed of such stoui 3. What circumstance is reeessary to the developement of the eggi 4. Is the same period of time required by all birds f6r incubation ? 5. What means are provided for thereccpUon of ihe eggs, and of the young birds which escape from them ? 6. Are the nests of all birds alike in their structure ? What is the slruc tare of the nests of birds of piey ? NIDTFICATIOM. Sf pieces of wood, that one would scarcely believe they could ba carjied by a bird, if he were not aware of the extraordinary strength of their muscles ; they are so arranged as not to yield readily to the force of the wind, and they support boughs which are bound to each other by the remains of food and of excre- ment, forming a solid habitation bearing the name of eyry. Those species that, in the construction of their nests, only eraploy rushes and reeds, accumulate them in such quantities, and fix them so firmly to the platform that rains or storms seldom cause their destruction. 7. Most birds build their nests, inthe bifurcation of the branches of trcs; In this case, bits , of straw and small pieces of wood, carried ih the beak, tied and interlaced by means of this .organ, and the aid. of the foot, constitute the external frame, which sup- ports the moss and down that form the bed. Some species have the habit of sospending their nest, which is wrought, in a still more artist-like manner, to the extremity oi a flexible twig, so that, in obedience to every impulse of the winds, this cradle and the sitting bird that inhabits it, experience an almost con- tinued rocking. 8. Certain nests present, in -their structure, a perfect masonry made of little sticks, gravel, or small leayqs impregnated with mortar, formed of earth softened with the salivary humor of the bird, or simply mixed with it. How much toil and how frequent must be the- goings and comings for the completion of this work! And, when we remember that the bird has, for the execution of its task, but a single instrument, which also serves for the transportation of the materials, we cannot withhold the admiration which is so justly merited. The form of these mortar- built nests, is ordinarily either spherical, conical, or elliptical ; they are established in the angles of windows, of chimnies, of walls, and often on the tables of sheltered rocks. . They are either isolated or placed one against the other ; the entrance is made either on the top, or in one side, and sometimes in the lower-part. Frequently we find irt these structures s^veraj compartments; sometimes a sort of vestibule is separated from the true nest, by a partition, and it is into this apartment that the male retires, after he has carried the necessary food to his sitting female companion. 7. What is the situation usually selected by the majority of birds for build- ing their nests 7_ 8. Wliat in.struments are used by birds in the construcli'm of their nests? What is the form of those nests that are pul together, like mason Vfork, with a species of raortar ? Do nests ever contain more than one apartment ? Y2 ae INCUBATION.— MIGRATION. 9. There are also birds that build tiieir nests upon the ground, and in order to guard against their being submerged by heavy- rains, elevate them on hillocks of earth : these nests are^ con? structed with less care : we here find only an abundance of down, sustained by flexible twigs, suitably interlaced; finally, some birds are content to form an excavation in the earth or - sand, in which they deposite their eggs, which for the most part they assiduously sit upon, but which they sometimes abandon during the day to the heat of the sun ; nevertheless, in this latter ease, their solicitude induces them to cover their eggs with a light layer of sand or other matter, either to hide them from animals that seek them for food, or to protect them from the too great intensity of the sun's rays. 10. The constancy of birds in sitting on their eggs is admira- ble : sotnetimes both parents divide this care between them ; at other times the male only watches the nest and brings food to the female, while she remains sitting on the eggs ; and in other species again, the female alone is charged with the incubation. Generally, the mother only leaves her nest for a few moments when pressed by hunger, and then seemingly with regret ; |ind, in most cases, after her young have appeared, she bestows upon them, and for a long time after their birth, the most tender care and attention. She covers them with her wings to protect them from the cold, brings them choice food, which she often half digests, and then disgorges into their throat, to render it better suited to their tender stomach ; she guides their first steps, teaches them to use their wings, and when threatened by danger, displays as much courage as devotion in their protection. 1 1. In this particular, it is very interesting to study the habits of birds ; but this is not the most remarkable point in their his- tory. The most singular phenomenon in the lives of birds, is unquestionably the habit,^ which certain species have, of making, at appointed periods of the year, long journeys, and changing their climate according to the seasons. 12. Birds that feed on insects, early leave temperate climates to go towards the south,^ where they find in the winter a more abundant supply of food ; other .birds change their country to seek a place more propitious for their young, and go sometimes 9. Do birds always build their nests in elevated situations ? 10. Does the male bird ever assist in the process of incubation ? In what way V Are the joung birds able to feed themselves when the; first escape from the shell ? 1 1. What is the most remarkable circumstance in the general history of birds 1 13. What are the reasons which induce many birds to migrate 7 MIGRATION. 27 to the north and sometimes i:o the south to lay their eggs ; in others again this migration is not determined by any appreciable cause. 13. Some migratory birds perform their journeys through the air alone or only accompanied by their females ; biit the number is small comparatively to those that travel in company. We admire in the latter the instinct, which induces them to assemble at a cer- tain place, ten or twelve days previous to the time of departure, which is ordinarily an indication of a change of weather ; for- it is remarked that birds feel the influences sufficiently early to derive prognostics of the change of temperature from their deportment and certain habits. During the 'whole journey, the most perfect order prevails throughout the whole troop ; to he convinced of this fact we have only to observe the flight of some large species, such as geese. The conducting of the troop is confined to a chief placed at the head of two files, more or Ipss separated from each other, which meet at a point ; the chief is the summit or point of this moving angle, and opposes the first resistance of the air, clears the way, and the whole band follows him, observing the most perfect order. As the efforts of the chief are very violent, and as he cannot support them during the whole voyage, he is perceived, when overcome by fatigues to yield his post to his next neighbour, and fall into the ranks at the extremity of one or other of the files. The period of these great migrations is fixed by nature for each species of migratory birds, and it is remarked, they follow the same route every year : hence, in certain districts, the fowlers or bird-catchers, count upon their passage as upon a revenue of rent that falls due every quarter, and calculate in advance the period, and the chances. Armed with their nets and all the apparatus of the chase, they station themselves in the gorges and valleys over which the flocks pass, and reach their several points a few minutes before their arrival. These bands or flocks are sometimes so numerous, and the in- dividuals composing them are so close together that they might be readily mistaken for dense clouds. ,14. Certain birds always lead an erratic life* and seem to have no country : these are the "most powerful on the wing ; many seem not to be impeded by the strongest Wind, and appear to> delight in the midst of storms. They form a striking contrast with a small number of species, less favoured by nature, which, 13. How are these migralions formed ? At what period do these migra lions lake place ? Are these periods very certain ? 14. Do all birds belong to some one or other country ' Are all birds active in flight ? 3 30 UlRDS OF PREY. LESSON III. Order. OF Rapaces, (or 'Jtccipitres.) — Zoological GhOracters.— Habits. — Division into two Families, Family op Diurnje. — Zoological Characters and Habits of Vul- tures, {Yellow Vulture, King of the Vultures, Condor, Perc- nopterus of Egypt.) — (Griffins. — Tribe of Falcons. — Division into two groupes, noble and ignoble. — Falconry, (Common Falcon) — Eagles.— Fisher-Eagles. — Sparrow-Hawks. — Kites — Buzzards. — Harriers. — Characters and Habits. Family of Nocturn^e. — Characters and Habits. — {Owl, — Strix —Due.) OKDER OF RAPACSS, OS ACCIPITRES. (Birds of Prey.) 1. Birds of Prey are recognised by their beak, being hooked and terminated by a point whidi is sharp and bent downwards, and by their feet being very strong and armed with powerful, hooked naih. r^ {Plate 3, fig. 1, to 8.) 2. Thiey are generally remarkable for their strength; the muscles of their thigiis and legs are very voluminous and give great power to their talons ; their tarsi are rarely elongated : all of them have four toes, the first of which, or thumb, is directed backwards ; the nails of this toe, and of the internal toe are the strongest, and there is often a very small palmate membrane betwixt the bases of the external toes. Their wings are large, and the sternum, which affords place for the attachment of the principal muscles of flight, is generally very much developed and without lateral notches. 3 . It is also to be remarked that their nares are pierced through a membrane, called Cera, that covers the whole base of the beak. 4. All the Rapaces live exclusively on flesh'; they pursue other birds and even small quadrupeds and reptiles; they are also very powerful in flight. 1. How are the birds of prey characterised ? 2. What are the characters of the legs of birds of prey? What is the number of their toes 7 What is their direction ? What is the character of llie sternum ? 3. What is meant by the cera ? 4. On what do the Rapaces feed 7 BIRDS OF PREY. 3^1 5. Lilce the Passetinae and Scansoriae, birds of prey are born generally naked, with the eyes closed, and cannot live without the assistance of their parents, who, during their tender age, supply all their wants. 6. Thes^ birds form two families: the Diurnee, and the Noctiiriice, which may be distinguished by means of the. follow- ing characters : C Eyes directed from the side; Oiffhend and neck DiurniB, J well propoitionod ; the external toe directed for- I ward, and almost always united to the middle too [_by a small nienibrune. Rapaces. r Eyes directed forward ; head very large and ntB. i neck very' short ; external toe may be'directieti L either forwards or backwards. FAMILY OF DAY BIRDS OF PREY, OR DIURN^iE. 7. The Diurnee have their eyes directed sidewise ; the head and neck are well proportioned; (Pliie 3, fii/. 1. ^c.) the natres are pierced through a naked membrane, called cera, which covers the Base of the beak; they havethrfee toes in front and one be- hind without feathers, and the two external ones are almost always united at their basp by- a short membrane ; flight pbwer- ful ; the quills strong; the plumage close ; the sternum large aiid completely ossified, and the fourcliette semi-circular, "and 'iVid^i^ separated; finally, the'siomach is almost entirely meipbranou^ and the intestines of small extent. S. The family of Diurnee is divided into, three grincipal tribes, easily recognised by the following characters.: '■ ' - ■ : ' ■" (TrilJM.) ' A more or less con^iderr ) '' able part of the 4fead and > yui.fVKE3, neck destitute of feathers. \ DiURNAI. R* PACES, having Eyes even with the bead, and fAloris pro- portionully feeble. Head covered with fea- thers. GniCFiNs. Eyes surmounted by a projecting eyebrow which ) makes them appear sunk in the head } falohs very > Falcons. L strong. S 5. What is the condition of birds of prey at the time of -birth ? 6. Into what families is tile order o;f Rapaces diVided. ? How are the Diurnae characterised ? In wJiat respects do the NocturneB differ from the DiurnGE?^ v 7. How are the Diurnse distinguiehed ? On 6nding a membranons stomach and intestines of small extent in a bird, upon what would you infer that it habitually fed ? " 8. Ipto ^hat tribes is ttie family of Dinrnas divided ? What are the chaiacters of Vultures 1 How do Griffins differ from Vultures ? What are the characters of Falcons? 3* - 34 CATHARTES.— TURKEY BUZZARD.— PERCNOPTERjlS. "Just before turning off from the beach, we came to the recent carcass of a mule, upon which seven large Condors and a cnjvrd of buzzards were feasting. They allo\y^ed us to approach so near thtit, had we been provided with arnis, we might have shot them as they, arose slowly an the wing. These birds freqijently destroy small animals. They sometimes fortp a circle around a sheep, or a goat, and, spreading out their wings approach till they strike their prey, and then falling uj^on it, devour the body,' even to the bones. In the country they are caught in the following manner. A penis formed of high pafeadoes driven into the ground, and a fresh carcass placed in the' centre. It is left alone. In a short time, the Condors, who scent their food for many miles, • descend into it, and while feasting, the peones, (labouring men in Chile are so called) armed, with clubs, a:nd the body- and limbs well protected with hide, enter the enclosure and commence the work of destruction. These birds cannot rise without running thirty or forty yards, \5rhich the limits of the pen will not allow, and they, are clubbed to death, not however, without making j-esistance, and oceasionally indicting very severe wounds orl their pursuers." — Tliree Years in. the Pacific. 20. The Cathartbs, which' have no caruncles on the head, and whose nares are longitudinal and oval, are also found in America ; there is one species (Cat/iartes VuUurinus, also called Vultur Califiir/iianus,) which approaches to the Condor in size,' and has wings, even longer, in proportion.' The tarsi are par- tially covered by the feathers of the legs. ' It inhabits California. [The 'pur%ey Buzzard, or GiiUmazar-^ Vultur aura,— Catkarles aura,— is of a bluish black colour, arid as large as a cock. It is common in warm parts of the United States, and is occasionally seen as tar north, as Mew Jersey. It feeds upon carrion and filth, hut never attacks Hving^ animals, except when helpless and uniible to defend themselves. This bird is very common in Peruvian towns, where it acts the part of scavenger, and is fpr this reason protected by law.] 21. The Perchoi?teri, (_P./ate 3,y.g.4i.) which are distinguished from all the prepeding by their feathered neck and long, slender beak, are of moderate size, and do not possess nearly so much strength a^s the other Vultures ; but they attack with greater avidity carrion and all sorts of filth which attract them from a distanpe; and they do not disdain excrement itself.' 22. The I'erqnnntervs of Egypt, {Pliaravk's Hird,)-^ Vultur percnopteius, or Vultur lev cocephalus, or Vultur fiiscus,-^is of 20. What arc the^Catharlcs? Where are Ihey fimnd ? What are its habile ? 31. How are the Percnopteri distinguished ? What are their habits ? " 22. Wnal is Fharaoli's bud 7 Where is it found 7 \ GRIFFINS— FALCONS. 35 the size of a crow : it is very common in the warm countries of the eastern continent, and follows the caravans through :he desert to devour all that die. The ancient Egyptians respected it on account of the services it rendered the country by removing dead bodies: it is often seen represented on their monuments. Even at the present day no injury is offered to it, and there are even devout mussulmans who bequeath wherewith to support a certain number. 23. In America there is another species of Percnopferus, the Vrubu, — Vulturjota,— which performs the same services there. Tribe of Griffins. 24. These birds, — Gypaetos,— (Plate 3, fig. 3.) have the head and neck alrtiost entirely covered with feathers ; the beak is strong, straight, hooked at the end, and inflated on the curve : the nostrils are covered by stiff bristles ; there is a pencil of bristles under the beak; the tarsi are short and feathered to the toes. 25. In their conformation and habits, they very closely resem- ble the Vultures. Their talons are proportionally weak, and their wings are long and partly separate when in repose. When the crop is full it projects at the lower part of the neck. 26. The Lamb Vulture, — Vnltnr/barbarus. — Falco barbatus, — ^(The Laemmer-geyer) — which the Greeks named Phene, and the Latins called Ossijraga, is the largest of the birds of prey of the eastern continent, the high mountain chains of which it in- habits : it is almost as large as the Condor, and attacks - lambs, goats, chamois, and, it is said, even sleeping men. Generally it endeavours to force animals to throw themselvfes from precipitous rocks, and devours them after they have been killed by the fall. His mantle is black with a white line in the middle of each feather, and all beneath the body as well as the neck is of a clear, brilliant, yellow colour. Tribe of Falcons. 27 . The Diurnal Rapaces composing this tribe have the h^ad and neck covered with feathers, like the preceding, but are dis- tinguished from them by their projecting eye-brows which make 23. What is the TJrubu ? 24. How are the Griffins distineuished ? 25. In what particulars do Griffins resemble Vultures ? 26. What is the Larnh Vulture ? Whrre is it found '/ What are its habits 7 37. How is the tribe of Falcons dislineuished from other tribes of Diarciv ,1 ^ 36 FAI,CONS. the eyes appear as if they were sunk into the head, and give to the physiognomy of these animals an aspect altogether ditferent from that of the Vultures and Griffins. {Plate 3, fig 1, 7, and 8.) 28. These birds have a lofty, rapid, and sustained flight ; their sense of sight, which is nnore extended and clearer than in any other animal, enables them to perceive the smallest prey, when they themselves are so high as to be out of the reach of our vision. 29. Most of them feed willfngly on flesh while it is yet palpi- tating ; but when pressed by hunger, they do not refuse dead bodies, as it has been generally believed, and instead of eating their prey on the ^pot as the vultures do, they bear it oflF to their eyry ; the largest Species attack mammals and birds, others live On fishes, some feed on reptiles, and others are exclusively in- sectivorous. The female is generally a\ third larger than the male, and for this reason, is often designated under the name of tarsel. Moulting takes place but once a year, and age induces such great change in the plumage of these birds, that naturalists have frequently mistaken varieties depending on this cause alone, for distinct species; the young are generally variegated with spots and longitudinal stripes, while the old ones are more uniform in colour, and are rather striped transversely; tffey are not clothed in their last or permanent livery until their third, fourth, or even sixth year, and then the colours of their plumage differ according to the iex. 30. They all seize their prey vvith their talons ; some, (such as the Falcon, the Kite,,&c ) precipitate themselves perpendicu- larly upon the animals they wish to possess ; others, (the Buz- zard and Goshawks, for example) approach obliquely and attack sidewise only. They are, generally, silent and very difficult to tame, although some of them can be trained to hunt on the wing. 31. This tribe, which embraces- a great number of species, is divided into two principal sections, namely : Noble birds of Prey, and Ignoble birds of Prey, so named, because the former are employed in falconry, and the latter are not ; and each one of these sections is sub-divided in its turn, as may be seen in the following table : — ^— : 9 ; 38. How does the vision of Falcons compare with thiit of other animals 7 29. Upon what do the Falcons feed 7 30. How do they lay hold of their prey ? Are Falcons nuiay birds ? Ate they easily tamed 7 31. How is the tribe of Falcons divided? What genera form the Noble Birds of Prey 7, What is the chief distinguishing feature of the Noble birds of Prsy 7 What genera belong to the Ignoble birds of Prey 7 r " i o = 01) 5; a. to'? u <; ¥ S all the little birds, of which they are the terror during twilight, come to tease and insult them. During the flight they oftpn utter plaintive. cries, which the vulgar regard as un- fortunate omens ; but in reality these birds are mQre useful than.; injurious to agricultijre, or» account of the number of sniall mammals of the order of rodentia whiph they destroy. It is probable, the iargesizeof the head, and their habitual tranquility, obtained for them the reputation for -wisdpm which they enjoyed among the ancients 60. All the nocturnal birds of prey resemble each other very Inuch, and the diflerences observed; pass from on§ to the other by such insensible intermediate shades that it is diifioult to: establish good generic differences in this femily. til; Owls PRORERLY so called, — Eared Owls, — Olus,—(,Plqte 3, fig. 2.) have the disk of fringed feathers which surrounds th,a eyes, very complete, and itself bordered -by a circle ef soaJy feathers ; they have moveable tufts, half the length of the head, the external ear very large and furnished in front with a mem- branous operculum, and the feet are feathered to\th"te nails. The common owl, — SMx d?«sj— is frequent in France and the United States ; its length from the top of its head to the end of the tail is thirteen or fourteen inches, and its plumage is y«llow with brown spots. It ordinarily inhabits forests, and establishes, its retreat In caverns, deserted houses, in ruins, and during the wiioJe night utters sad and plaintive groans ; it often takes pos- session of nests abandoned ty crows, ducks, &c. 59. Why are Owls designated as nocturnal birds of prey ? Upon, lyhat do they feed 1 @0. Are the generic differenqes found in Nocturnal bird^ of prey easily tecngnised 7 Gl. How arc Owls properly so called cliar.iCterlEed 1 * OWLS. 4^ 62. The Howlers,^ C//w/a,^only diffei; from the preceding,, owls in the absence of the tufts of feathers, which in common language, are sometimes called horns. . 63. The Screech Owls, — Strix, — resemble owls properly so called in the disposition of their ears, but are distinguished from them by the beak, which is elongated and cjjrved only at the ex- tremity, while in the other nocturnffi it js arched from its base. They are withpiit tufts, and instead of^ feathers, hfive only hairs on the toes,-. The common species in France, known as the screech owl (effraie,) is of all the owls, most especially regarded by the people as a bird of evil omen ; its plumage is yellow, shaded with ash colour or brown above, and prettily spotted black and white. It is found in. Asia and America as well as in Europe. 64. The Hooting Owls, — S';yjvj,i|"n,— differ fjronj the sqreech owls in their auditory conch which is redijced to an oyal cavity, that does not occupy the half ofthe. height of the cranium; tfieip feet are feather.ed down to the nails, 65. The Docs, or Horned' Owla,7-B^4o, — hav^e tufts like the eared owls, and an auditory conch as sm.all as thp hpoting owls, but they- have the disk of feathers arounc( fte eyes less marked, than the preceding owls, The Granii Due, or Great Horned Owl of naturalists,^— .Sifcix WiUj^is a6put two feet long, and is the largesti'Of all the noeturni fit is common In the great forests of the eastern parts of Europe, and is alsp met with in France. Its food consists ordinarily of moles and small animals of the order rpdentia,. but^ we are assured that it sometimes attacks young roe-bucks, "and it often contends with Ijnzzards, and-carries off their prey. The great horned owl of the United States,^ jB«6o Virginia ilvs, — which is found in all parts of our country, feeds on the gallinaceous birds, domestic poultry, hares, opossums, &c. * 66 In former ^imes, this owl was employed in falconry to attracts the -kite; they tied a fox's tail to the Due to render its figure still more ejctraordinary ; it flew even with the . ground and alighted in the fields without perching on trees ; the kite, which perceived it from a distance, came and approached the Due, OB Great Horned Owl, not to attack, but rather to examine it, and k^t near it long enough,to be taken by the huiiters or by the birds of prey which t hey let slip In pursuit. 62. How do the Howlers differ from Owls properly bo called ? 63. How are Screech Owls charactei ised 7' 64. In what particulars do the Hooting Owlp.diff^r from the Screech Owls 1 65. How are the Horned Ovyls characterjBed^? Where is the Great Horned Owl found ? Upon what does il feed ? ' 66. In what way was the Great Horned Owl employed in El^Iconry ? ■ 2 A 46 ORDER OF PASSERINJE, ^ 67. The owls of the genera Noctua and Soopa, have the open- ing of the ear larger thanordinary birds, and the disk of feathers around the eyes smaller and less complete than in all the pre- ceding owls. These characters coincide with the peculiarities of their habits, which bring them near to the diurnal birds of prey. Ill fact, many owls see sufficiently well in the day to distinguish and pursue their prey. The Scops have the heads furnished with tufts. There is one species found in France, whose plumage is ash colour, spotted black LESSON IV. Order of Passerine!. — Zoological Characters. — Habits. — Diei- sion into ^ve families. FAMitY OF Dentirostres. — Shrikes.—Flycatchers. — Colingas. — Blackbirds. — Thrushes. — Water-thrushes. — Orioles. — Lyres. — Warblers, (such as the Nightingales, Linnets, and Wrens.) Family op Fissirostrbs.— (Suja/foujs) — Habits. — {Swallow, pro- perty so called, Martin.) — Goatsuckers. — Habits, Family op Connirostres. — Larks,. — Titmouse, — Buntings. — Sparrows. — Crows, (Crow properly so called^ Jackdaw, Mag- pie, Jay.) — Birds of Paradise, ORDER OF PASSERIN.S. 1. This order includes all birds that are neither swimmers, waders, climbers, rapaceous, nor gallinaceous ; that is, it contains all birds that are not assigned to the other five orders ; we find its characteristics, therefore, are purely negative; yet, although we can- not unite all the species that belong to it under a common descrip- tion, they nevertheless naturally -resemble each other in the totality or assemblage of their organization. The Passerinae have neither the violence of the birds of prey, nor the fixed regimen of the gallinaceous or aquatic birds ; insects, fruits and grains consti- tute their food, which consists more exclusively of grain, in pro- portion to the largeness of their beak, and more exclusively of in- sects as it is more slender ; and those that have strong beaks pursue 67. How are the genera of Noctua and Scopa characterised 7 Are all Owls incapable of seeing in the daylight 7 1. What are the charaeters, which distinguish the Passerinse from other orders of birds? Upon what do they feed? What is the number and arrangement of their toes ? FAMILY OF.DENTIROSTRES 47 even small birds. The proportional length of their wings, and the extent of their flight are as variable as their habits. They have (bur toes, three before and one behind, and occassionally, two be- fore and one behind, and sometimes all four are iij front ; but there are never two before and two behind, as in the next OJideb ; and the middle toe is "joined to a greater or less extent, to the external toe by means of a membrane. 2. The order of Passerinas is very numerous, and is divided into five families, which may be distinguished by the following characters : (Familiee.) The external toe shoTter than the middle one, and free for the greater part of its length. Superior man; dible. Notehed on both sides near its ; dentirostres. point. S Short, wide, flatteijed, ) horizontally, and very S- FissmosTRKSi open.-. \ Without a Qptch. Strong and Qonical-, J- Conirostkes. Slender and elongated [- TENniKosTRES. The external toe almost as long aa the middle one, to ) which it is united as fer as to the penultimate artiou- > SyndacttluB. lation^ -^^ V FAMILY OF DENTIROSTRES. 3. This family includes those Passerinae only that have the beak notched on both sides near the point ; they are all insecti- vorous, and most of them also eat berrieg and other tender fruits. They have been classed according to the general form of their beak, and in this way divided into many tribes, the chief of which may be recognised by the following characters : 2. Into hoiv many families is the order of FasserlniB divided ? What is characteristic of the Dentirostes ? How are the Fissirostres distinguished ? How do the Conirosters differ from the Fissirostres ? What' is the eharacter of th& beak in the Tenuirostres 7 How are the Sandjclyte distinguishes! from the other four families of Passerinae ? 3. What are the general characters of the Dentirostres ? {Answered in the Table.) How are the Shrikes recognised ? By what characters are the Flycatchers known ? How are the Contingas distinguished ? How are Panagers characterised ? What are the characters of the Ant-catchers ? How-are the Thrushes distinguished ? By what are the Orioles known ? How are the Warblers recognised 7 In what tribes of the family of Denli. osiaii is the external toe free ? How arc Coclts of tlio Rock known 7 Dentirostre! , 1 hav mi? the external toe a s- a cc ~ w ' -I CD & S r«- pr o A % 1 en C SB., £E a clH CI' Cr - ■ o ta ^3 i» 3 P crotq 1 f », ffl s o a a a. 09 s si ^ ." ■■ ^ a o- S S ? i 3 ^^1 o % "5'g p ^gi.s^i >*> ? i^ .S"? » §■■ p % ST a trq £ T ES o" 01 El n. §1 sr B s- o J*- ■s ' CD Ha 1 1 ^ a.!>r '1 f ■ O 11 r- B - CO ■ 1- a ^ CD n ■ 1 tft • r 9 3^- cr o ■ '^ r? I.S "^:l a 3 5§ B"2. 8 5 « a* 3 S 3' O CU |-3 . s g- » I. "P 3 S.>< ^ ■ ' s* ?.?- ■V ■V- -V- -V- -V- -V- g 7 ="3 CD 1 -v-^ S h3 > > u f 1 a- If i 2 a- CO o o p 9? 1 ^ ■ p i. ^ e- -" « SHRIKES.— FL¥.CATgHERS—COTINGAS. 4S 4. The Shrikes, — Lanitis, — have a moderate, hut strong beak, Which is straight from its origin, and very compressed ; the upper mandible is strongly curved towards the point where it forms a hook, and is armed with a deep notch ; its base is provided with stiff hairs, and is destitute of cere. Though small in size, these birds are full of courage ; they contend with birds of prey, and, like them, live by rapine. They feed on insects and small birds, and always inhabit the woods and bushes on the planes ; they live in families, and fly irregularly, and precipitately, utter- ing shrill cries. There are five species in Europe, and several in America. The common or Great Shrike, — Lanivs excubitor, — which is ash coloured above, white beneath, and of the size of a Thrush ; and the Butcher Bird'—Lanius collurio, — which is smaller than the otjiiers, has the back and wings fawn colour ; this last bird destroys a great many small animals, birds and young toads, as well as a number of insects, grasshoppers, beetles, &c., which it has the habit of sticking on the thorns of blishes, in order to devour them at leisure, or to find them again when wanted. This little' Shrike makes its appearance in the spring, and quits France and the United States in the autumn. The camcans'and vangas, and severakother genera are grouped in this tribe, and have similar habits. 5. The Fly-catchers, — Muscicapa, — are found in all parts of the world. Their beak is moderate, strong; and compressed to- wards the point, which is curved, and deeply notched ; the baSe is furnished with long, stiff hairs, that cover the nostrils, which are lateral and oval. These birds are travellers. They feed -On small birds, or on insects, which they catch on the wing ; they alight on trees in the forests. Europe possesses a great many species, 6. The name of Tyrant, — yj/ronKU*,— is given to those fly- catchers of America, that have a strong beak; other birds of this division on the contrary, have a very slender beak. They defend their young even from the eagle, and drive,all birds of prey from their nest. The larger species feed on small birds, and do not always despise carrion. 7. The CoTiNGAS, or Crown Birds, — ^mpelis, — are for the most part, remarkable for the beauty of their plumage. Their beak is short, slightly depressed, a little convex above, and sud- 4. What are the characters of Shrikes ? What are their habits 7 Upon what do they feed ? From what circumstance does the Butcher bird derive its name ? 5. What are the characters of the Flycatchers ? On what do they feed t 6. What are Tyrants 7 What are their habits 7 1 What are the characters of the Cotingas? 2A* 5& TAIfAGEBS.— TtfRUSfaES— SLA^IKMROS. — ^ denly flexed at the point ; their nostrils Sfre half closed by a membrane, and covered in a degree by the hairs of the face ; their feet are moderate : all the species belong to South America. The plumage of the male is, in general, adorned with the richest tints of purple and azure ; but these birds are not in all their beauty except in the spring, for during the rest of the year their tints are gray or brown. 8. The C/iatterers, — Bomhycilla, — have the head ornamented with a toupet of feathers. There is one species, the Bohemian Chatterer, — \&mpelh garriilas,— that visits Europe in flocks, at long and irregular intervals, from which circumstance, its'presence for a long time was considered as an evil omen. It is thought to inhabit the extreme north. The flesh is esffeemed a great delicacy. The Cedar Bird, or Cherry Bird, — Bombycilla carolinetisis, — Is found throughout the AmeVican continent. Some of them re- main in Pennsylvania and New Jersey during the wint4r. 9. The Tanagers, — 7'a«ap'/'a,— -are small birds, Temarkable for the most part, for the varied colour of their plumage. They resemble the Finches in their habits, and feed on grain, as well as on berries and insects. The Summer Red Bird, — Tanagra ixstiva, — is of a vermillioh red. It passes the greater part of the year in the tropical America. It is met with in the sandy, barren foreists of New Jersey, in small numbers. 10. The Thrushes, — 'lurdus, — have a modefate beak with a sharp compressed poirit, but not forming a hook, and having the notches not so deep as in the Shrikes ; they are more frugivorous. it is to be remarked also, that their nostrils are half closed by a naked membrane, and the tarsi are longer than the middle toe. Some remain in the country wherg they are born ; others travel in numerous flocks. The flesh of most of these birds is much , esteemed. ' 1 1. We apply the name of Thrushes properly so called to those Species in Which the colours are uniform or distributed in large masses, and we call those Thrushes in which the plumage is dappled, that is, marked with small black and brown spots. 12. The jE«ropeara Blackbird, — Turdus merula^r^^ found in France throughout the year ; the male is entirely black with a yellow beak, and the female is brownish. These birds are the first to hail with their songs the return of spring ; heard at a 8. What are the Chatterers ? 9. What are Tanagers ? 10. What are the cTjaracters of Thrushes ^ 11. How are the two kinds of Thrushes distinguished ? 13. What are the babi(B of the European Blackbird 7 THRUSHES. 51 distance they are very agreeable; they possess the power of pessing from the lowest tc ihe highest tones. In captivity their yoice loses its brilliancy and becomes even hoarse and false. This blackbird loves solitude ; it only keeps in the thickest and most distant copses. It feeds on worms and insectsj- and. very adroitly breaks snail shells against rocks or stones. . The female constructs her nest with great art, which is well cushioned on the inside and covered on the outside with grass. She ordinarily lays foujr or five blue eggs, covered with brown spots. 13. The Grive, or Common Thrnsh, — Tardus musieus, — some- what smaller than the preceding, is brown on the back, reddish yellow -with black spots on the neck and breast, white on the belly and flanks, with black spots ; the wings are brown above, yellow beneath ; the beak is brown, and the tarsii are brownish gray. It is met with in France only as a bird of passage ; it arrives there in great flocks at the end of September, and sojourns nearly a month ; then it returns in March and April to disappear again in May. A few individuals however, remain, and build on low trees or bushes ; they lay two or three times a year, from four to six eggs each time. The song of the Thrush is agreeable, and its flesh is delicate ; it announces th,e return of spring, and remains during three quarters of the year. It is often heard when the skies are heavy with clouds ; which circumstance has gained for it, in some countries, the title of bird of storms. When this Thrush is disturbed, his hoarse and noisy song seems to be a mixture of warbling and cries. In its ordinary condition, its gammut is, en the contrary, a scale of sofl; and grave tones: it often sings many hours together without the slightest interruption. , When reared with the Linnet and Nightingale, it seems to study their song, and ends by appropriating it. The .American Robin , or Migrating-Tlirush, — Tf/j-dws'/njgfrttto'iMs,— is found in summer . throughout the North American continent. The Robin Red-breast, which is said to have covered, with a leafy shroUd, the lost and wandering "babes in the wood," is held in universal respect, Its song, however, has not the compass and variety of the preceding species. y 14. The Missle Tlirush,^Turdus viseivorus, — the. Ziiorne, — Turdus pilaris, — and the Mavis, — Tardus iliacvs,—l'-re three other species of Thrush which are also found in Europe. 15. The Mocking Bird,— Tvrdus patyglottns, — an American birS, celebrated for the astonishing facility with which it un 13. What are the habits of the Grive or Common Thrush ? 14. What other Thrushes are found in Europe? 15. What ia the Mocking bird ? 5 S3 WATER-OUSELS— OR [QLES —LYRES. hesitatingly imitates all the sounds it hears, also belongs to the tribe Of Thrushes. 16. The Water Thbushes, — Cinclm, — have a cutting, straight, elevated beak, compressed and rounded , towards the end, vyith the point of the upper mandible bent over the lower one. There is but one species in Europe, which has the "singular habit of descending into the water, without swimming, but walking about the bottom in search of small animals upon which it feeds. The Jliiicrican. Water Ousel, or Dipper, — (Jinclus .Smericanus, — is cinereous gray, with a blackisli brown head and neck. It is. distinguished from the European species by the absence of the white on the chin and throat. Of the particular habits of this bird little is yet known. 17. The Ant-Catchers, — Myolhera, — so called because they live chiefly on ants, are recognised by their long legs and short tail ; they are found on both continents. 18. The Orioles, — Oiiohts, — resemble the thrnishe's very much, but their beak is a little stronger, their legs are shorter and their wings a little longer in proportion , 19. The European Oriole, or Golden Thrush, the Yellow Thrush of the Germans,— ;OnoZM.s_<)ffl/6wfo, — is of nearly the same size as the thrush, (nine or ten inches long, and the spread of the wings about sixteen.) Themaleisof a beautiful yellow; thewings, the tail and a spot between the eye and beak are black, and the end of thetailis yellow ; but during the first two years of life, like the female at all times, he has an olive in place of the yellow, and brown in place of the black colour. This bird suspends its nest, which is very artfully constructed, from th6 branches of trees ; in the summer it eats cherries and other fruits, but in the spring it feeds on insects : it remains in Europe only during the warm season, and goes to Africa to pass the winter. It migrates in companies of five or six. In the surtTmer, when it has become fat, its flesh is good to eat, and were it not so difficult to rear, it would be the ornament of our cages for its beauty. The lia/ti- more Oriole, or Golden Uobin, — Oriotus ballimore, — Icterus haltimore, — comes amongst us from its winter retreats in South America, about the first week in May. It bears a general resem- blance to the preceding. 20. TheTLvRES, — Mceiira,— have been placed with the gallina- ceous birds by some naturalists who were more struck with their IS. What ate the characters of the Water Thrushes ? 17. How aie Ihe Ant-oatrhers recognised 7 18. What are the characters of ihe^ Orioles ? 19. What are the characters of the European Oriole? What are its habits 7 20. WhoX are the Lyres ? From what do they take their name 7 ♦■ __^ WARBLETIS.— NIGHTINGALE. 53 large size than the disposition of their feet and other characters ; bnt in reality these birds approach much nearer to tlie thriJslies, from whidi they scarcely differ in the form of their bealc. They are distinguished by the singular conformation of the tail of the male bird, the different feathers of which exactly resemble a Lyre. These birds belong to New Holland ; only one species is known. 21. The Warblers, — Motacilla,^—a.re extremely numerous in species, which are found in all countries. They have a straight, slender beak, in the form of a bodkin, higher than it is broad at the base ; the point of the upper mandible is often" notched, and the lower one is straight ; the nostrils are half closed by a mem- brane; the tarsi are longer than the. middle toe. Birds of this genus are emphatically singers ; they are almost all migratory, and insectivorous. They are divided into many ^sub-genera, among which we may mention : 22. The Tiaquets, — Saxico/a, — are lively birds that stand tolerably high on their legs ; the French species build on the ground and feed exclusively on insects : such are the Common Traqiiet, — Motacilla rubicdla, — and the Wheat Ear, — Motacilla CEanike. 23. The Rubiettes,~Sylvia, — live on insects, worms and ber- ried ; they are solitary, and generally build in holes ; the Stone- cliat, — Motacilla rubicola, — belongs to this sub-genus. ' . 24. In the division of Fauveites, — Curruca, — the beak is more slender than in the traquettes, or vubietles. The most interesting species of this little group is the Niqhtiagaie, — Motacilla i«.vcj«ta,— the plumage of which is reddish brown above, and whitish gray beneath, the tail being alittle red.- This bird, whose song is- so celebrated, never lives in flocks. The female con- structs herriest, in the foliage, of straw and moss; she ordinarily lays two or three times a year, and four or five eggs on each occa- sion. While she is sitting, the male, perched upon a neighbour- ing branch, endeavours to relieve the weariness of her task by the harmony of his voice ; if an enemy approach, he continues to sing, and his interrupted accents tell his companion all she has to fear. In the silence of the night, when- all other birds have suspended their concerts, the melodious voice" of the Nightingale alone is heard ; and the variety, the sweetness and*harmony of his notes place him' in the first rank of singing birds. 21. What are the characters of the Warblers? 2y. What arc the Traquols? 9.1, Whut are I lie habits of the Rubiettes ? 24. What are the charade rs and hab'tts of the Nightingale ? 54 WRENS. -TITLARKS. 25. The Fauvette, — Motacilla orphea, — which is ashy brown above, whitish beneath, is common in Europe, and fiarticularly in the southern provinces of France, which It. leaves in floclcs, about the oiiddle of autumn, to return in the spring. It feeds on insects and soft fruits, and raaljes its nest in the bushes or reeds.; the male has a strong, sonorous voice, wliich is not disagreeable. Its song, says Bulfon, somewhat resembles that of the Nightin- gale, ,and is enjoyed for a long time; for, many weeks after the songster of the spring-time is hushed, the woods every where re- sound with the song of the fauvette ; its voice is smooth, pure, and light, and its succession of modulations, though of small ex- tent, are agreeable, flexible, and graduated. 26. The Wrens,- — Regiilus, — are^little birds that keep on trees, and there pursue gnats. The tioitelct, or Kinglet, — Motacilla regulus,— is the smallest of European birds ; the head of the male is adorned with a small yellow tuft bordered with black. 27. These birds possess a great deal of activity and agility ; they are almost always in motion ; they leap from branch to branch, climb trees on all sides, they eagerly hunt in all the cracks of the bark, and sometimes they suspend themselves, feet upwards like the tora-tit ; they feed on insects, little worms and various small grains. The female lays from ten to eighteen eggs which scarcely exceed a large pea in size ; her nest of leaves js placed on the branches of the flr-tree, in such a manner as to-be swayed in all directions by- the wind. 28. The Ti-ue Wrens — Troglodytes,— hsive the middle toe rather long, and the nails of moderate length. They are remark- able for their almost domestic habits, often building from prefer- ence about houses, either empty or inhabited; they also sing agreeably i speeies are found on both continents. The House Wren, — Trofflodytes aedon, — Sylvia domestiEa,^— is only a sum mer resident of the United States ; but the Winter Wren,-' Troglodytes hyemalis, — sometimes ^ passes the winter in Penn- sylvania. 29. The Wag-tails, — Motacilla,— are remarkable for the length of their tail, which they are constantly elevating and depressing. 30. The Meadow Larks, or Titlarks,— dnthus,-^some:wha.t resemble the larks,-C.5/aMdaJ on account of the long nail with whidi their thumb is armed. 95. What are the habits of the Fauvetle? 26. What are Wrens ? 27. What are the habits of Wrens ? ,, 28. What are the eharaolers of the true.Wrens ? 29. How are the Wag-tails characteriaed 7 30. In what respect do the MeadoW Larks resemble the Larks T COCKS OF THE ROCK.— SWALLOWS. - 55 31 . The Common Titlark, — Anthvs pratensis, or Miuda pra- teiisis, — frequents humid prairies and becomes extremely fat in the autumn; in many parts of France it is then sought, and is known under the name of Bec-figiie, — becca-fica. 32. The Cocks or the Rock, — Ritpicnla, — are distinguished from all the~ preceding species of the family of Dentirostres, by having the two external toes, united for about one third of their length from the base. The two American species, when full grown, are of a beautiful orange colour, and have a double ver- tical crest on the head, formed of feathers arranged like a fan. They are found in the warm parts of South America. FAMILY OF FISSIROSTRES. 33. The Fissirostres are dis.tinguished by their beak, which is short, wide, horizontally flattened, slightly hooked, without a notch, and very deeply cleft, that is, the commissure, or line of junction between the two mandibles, is extended so that the opening of the mouth is very wide, and they easily swallow the insects they pursue on the w;irig. All these birds are exclusively insectivorous ; they are also migratory, and migrate in the tem- perate zones. Their flight is the mo;st extended of all terrestrial birds ; they are found' in all parts of the world. 34: This family is divided into two tribes, namely: " 35. First. The DnjRNAL Fissirostres, with a dense plumage, and a beak that opens to beneath the eyes. _- 36. Second. The Nocturnal Fissirostres, the plumage of which is soft and light like that of the o*ls, and their beak opens to a point beyond the eyes. 37. The Diurnal Fissirostres constitute the Genus op Swallows, — Hirundo, — ^all of which are remarkable for the length of their wings ; this genus is sub-divided into swallows properly, so called, and Swifts; the fatter have' a remarkable conformation of the claws ; the thumb is directed forward almost like the other toes which are all separate, and each one has but three phalanges; while in the swallows properly so called the thumb is inserted behind the tarsus,-and preserves the same direction as in the 31. What are the habits of the Common Lark ? 33. Huw are Cocks of the Rock characterised 't 33. What are the distinguishing characters of tlie Fissirostres ? What are their habits? 34. Into liow many tribes is the f^imily of Fissirostren divided? 35. How are the Diprnal Fissirostres characteri,=ed7 ,^6. How are the Nocturnal Fissirostres distinguished from the Diurnal? 37. How are Swifts and Swallows properly so called, distinguished from each other ? 5* » 56 SWALLOWS. other Passeririae ;, the external toe is united to the median, as far as the first articulation, and the number of phalangesTS not unusual, 38. Swallows properly so called, — Hirundo, — have a trian- gular beak, broad and depressed at the base, a little curved at the point, the nostrils oblong, the legs short, the wings very long, and the tall ordinarily forked. These birds delight most in those places where flies and other winged insects are common : they construct their nests with great care, often of a sort ,of masonry • in the ground ; the female sometimes lays twice- a year. Most of the Swallows leave us towards the end of September, and migrate in large flocks to warm countries where they pass the winter ; but return in the beginning of the spring and talce pos- session of the nests they had left the preceding year. Their habits are mild, and they are remarkable for their sociability. They often join a great number together, to drive off an enemy, the attack of which any one of them may fear. The Swallow announces even to Swifts, and other small birds the approach of. a bird of, prey. At the sight of an owl or a hawk, it utters a piercing cry ; immediately all the birds of its species, and the Swifts assemble around it, and often march in line tigainst the enemy, which they harass until he is forced to beat a retreat. 39. In the genus of Swallows we must mention, the Martin, — Hirundo urbica,^{Ptate A. fig. l.) which is black above, white below and. on the tail, and the feet are feathered! to the nails. It arrives about the middle of April, and disappears about the mid- dle of September. It constructs its nest of earth, lined inside with straw and feathers, which it pften places in the angles of windows and beneath the eaves. 40. The Chimney Swallow, — Hirundo rustica, — ^is an inch longer than the preceding, with a- very forked tail and naked toes ; it is black above ; the front, that is the forehead, throat, and brows are red, and the rest of the bird is ordinarily white. It arrives a little earlier than the preceding, constructs a similar nest, which it commonly places on chimneys, in stables and barns. 41. The Salangane, or Edible Swallow., — Hirundo eseulenta, -1— which inhabits the East Indian archipelago, is celebrated on account of its nest, which it constructs of a whitish, gelatinous substance, arranged in layers ; this substance is a marine plant which it soaks in the sea and grinds previously to lising. These nests are eaten, dressed like mushrooms, and in soup ; the Chinese 38. What are the habits of Swallows properly so called ? 39. What is the Martin ? What are its habits ? 40. What are the characters of the Chimney Swallow? 41. What is the Sulangane ? For v, hat purposes is tho nest of this Swallow used ? GOATSUCKERS. 57 regard them not only as an excellent disb, but also as a very restorative and medicinal kind of hourishment ; a very extensive commerce is carried on in this article, which has been sold as high as five dollars a pound. From thirty to fifty thousand pounds are used in Cliina every year. , / . 42. The Swifts, — C/icetura, or Martins, or MartiHets, — Cjfpselus, — have a forked tail which consists of six quills only, while in the Swallows properly so called there are twelve; their legs are very short and their toes are directed forwards. These birds sqarpely walk at all, and are seen constantly in the air, pursuing, in flocks, and with loud cries, insects in the upper regions of the atmosphere. They nestle in holes in walls, and' in rocks, and climb-Blong smooth surfaces with great rapidity 43. The Common Martin, — Hirvnde apus,-^is about eight inches long, and the spread of the wings is nearly fifteen inches. It is black with a white -throat. It appears in France in the month of April, and departs on the approach of_ cold. It ordi- narily lays from two to five eggs once a year. 44. The tribe of Nocturnal Fisshiostres is composed of the genus of Goatsuckers. 45. The Goatsuckers, — Caprimulgus, — (Plate i.Jig. 2.) — all resemble each other in their plumage and habits. They only appear towards evening, and, for this reason, they might be called crepuscular birds. The silky nature of their feathers, and their mixed and delicate colours, give them, as far as relates to their external covering, a strong resemblance to owls. Their eyes are large ; their beak, which is furnished with strong mus- taches, and more deeply cleft or open than in swallows, is capable of receiving the largest insects which it retains by means of a viscid saliva ; the nostrils, >Yhieh are in .the form of small tubes, are near its base ; their wings are long, their feet short, and the tarsi feathered ; the thumb can be directed forward. 46. These birds live isolated, and only fly during the twilight, or in fine nights; they pursue the phalenae and other nocturnal insects, and lay a small number of eggs on the ground without taking much care to construct a nest. When they fly, the rush- ing of the air into their wide mouth produces a peculiar humming noise. It has been said that they sucked the goats, but this is untrue; the noUofi arose probably from their frequenting the 42. How are the Swifts distinguished from the Swallows ? 43. What are the characters of the commun JVIarlin 7 44. What genus constitutes the Nocturnal Fissirosties ? 45. What are the characters of the Goatsuckers 1 46. What are the habits of the Goatsuckers ? From what circumstance do they derive theit name t . 2B 58 , . t, , GOATSUCKERS, fields, where goats and stiegp were herded, in pursuit of the insects which-are attracted there fn great numbers. Only one species of Goatsucker is known -in Europe. 47. The Evropean Goatsacker, — Caprimulgns europcevs^ — iPlate A.Jig. 2.) is of a brown gray, undulated with blackish brown, with a whitish band running fronn the beak to the back of the neclc. It arrives in France in the spring, nestles in thft heath, and the moment its food begins to grow scared it seeks a warmer climate. 48. There is one species, in Africa, remarkable for a feather twice the length of the body which arises from near the carpus ' of each wing, and is barbed only near the extremity. The warm parts of Ariiericaabound in these birds. 49. The Chuck-will's Wicloiv, — Caprimv/gus carolinevsis, — appears in the southern parts of the United States about the middle of March. The head and back are dark brown, minutely mottled with yellowish red, and Jongitudirially streaked with black. 50'. The Whip-pvor-will, — Caprimiilgus vqcifirus, — is heard during the spring and early autumn, in the middle section of the United States. Its general colour is a brownish grayj streaked" and finely sprinkled with brownish black, About the middle of May, the female Jays two eggs ; like all birds of this genus, she builds no n^stj but deposites her eggs upon the bare ground, in some dry and sequestered situation. 51. The Night-Hawk-y or Night-Jar, — Caprimulgvs ^merl- canvs. — is met with in all parts of the United States. It is ^of a brownish black, mottled with white, and a pale reddish brown above, and a grayish white, undulated with dark brown below Night-Hawks arrive in the Middle States towards the close of April. They are commonly seefi towards evening in pairs, sail- ing around in sweeping circles, high in the air, occasionally descending lower to capture flying insects, chiefly of the larger kind, sUch as wasps, beetles and moths. About the middle of A ugust, they begin their migrations towards the south, and may be seen as late as the middle of September, in the evening, in scattered flocks, consisting of several hundreds together, moving towards more congenial climes, darting after insects, oi feeding leisurely as they advance. Sometimes differtot species - ■>f Swallow are mingled in these wanderiiig tribes. 47. What are the charactets of the European Goatsuclter ? 48. Are Goatsucitera peculiar to Europe? 49. What are the characters of the Chuck-will's widow? 50. What is tiio Whip-poor-will? 51. What is the Night Hawk f LARKS. 59 FAMILY OF CONIROSTRES. -52. All the birds of this family have a strong beak, more or less conjfcal, and without a notch, {Plate B.Jig. 9.)- they live on grains, more exclusively in proportion to the strength and thick- ness of their beak. The principal genera of this family are ; the Larks, the Titmice, the Buntings, the Sparrows, the Cross- bills, the Crows, and Birds /if Paradise, which may be distin- guished bv flie following characters : (Genera.) 'Straight, strong, and longer than that of the other toes, ^Lark. Very slender, and fur- 1 nished with hairs at the S- Titmohse. base. j ' 1^ 03 Pf ordinary . size. Beak Short, straight and conical. Preity strong, and fur. "1 iirHpH inRidtt Tvith a ba-rd I nished inside with a hard tubercle, fixed to the palate. ;■ BuNTINQ. J strong, and more or ") less thick at t(ie base; up- V- Sparrow. per mandible inSaled. J Compressed, and the mandibles cross- ) _ - ing each other. \ Rossbul. StiiF 1 feathers, dircc- y Crow. ted forynards. J Very strong, and more or less flattened on the sides; nostrils covered by Feathers, ") _ which .resem- ble velvet. " I Paradise. 53. The ljkKKS,—Alauda, — have a straight, short beak, in the form of an extended cone, {Plate 4, Jig. 4.); their head is small, round, and furnished with feathers on top, which are mora or less erectile ; their tail is of moderate length, and ahnost always forked ; their nostrils are covered by small feathers which are directed forwards ; the posterior nail is straight, strong, and much longer than that of any of the other toes. The conformation of their' nails does not permit these birds generally to alight on trees, but it is useful to them when they run over ne wl v ploughed 53. How are thp Conirostres characterised ? Upon wliat do they fted J What are the principal genera composing this family ? 53. What are the eharactejs of the Larks ? What are -their habits ' 60 . . TITMICE. ground; they dwell, in general, on the ground, and feed on grains, tender herbs, insects and larvae. Tliey also have the habit of dusting . themselves by fluttering on the ground. The Common Za?A is found nearly throughout the eastern continent. During the summer, these birds prefer dry elevated situations, and delight in soaring to great heightsMn the air, singing in a strong, melodious voice. In viririter, they assemble in large num- bers on the level country in seaith of food ; when the cold is intense they take refuge among the rocks, and along streams that do not freeze, and when pushed by want, they approach our habitations. They nestle on the ground, and without becoming familiar with man, they become accustomed to captivity. Their flesh is esteemed a delicacy. 54. The Shore Lark, — Mandd alpesiris, — is of a reddish gray inclining to brown above, whitish beneath with the throat and a stripe over the eye of a pale yellow ; the tail and wings, and a patch on the breast, black. This beautiful species is common in the northern parts of both continents. These birds arrive iii the Northern and Middle States early in October, -and generally dis- appear on the approach of snow. 55. The Sky Lark, — Mauda arvevsis, — is universally known by its perpendicular mode of soaring, accompanied by its varied and powerful song. It is brown above ; whitish underneath, and spotted throughout, with a deeper shade of brown. * 56. The Tits, or Titmice,: — Parvs, — ^^have a slender and very short beak. They are extremely lively little birds ; they are constalitly leaping from branch to branch in short flights, climb- ing and suspending themselves in all nJanner of positions, p'uck- ing the grains upon ^yhich they feed, also eating, many Insects, not even sparing small birds when they find them pnfeebled by sickness, or entangled in snares ; they are often seen to pierce their skulls by repeated strokes of the beak to devour the brains ; they also pick the bones to a skeleton. In proportion to their size, which is "very small, these are the strongest of all birds; they attack owls fiercely ; they have the habit of storing a provision of grains ; they nest in the hollows of old trees, and lay miOre eggs than arty other of the passerine birds. Species are found in all parts of the world, and there are several in the United States. The Tufted Titmouse, — Parvs bicoior, — is crested, and scarcely exists north of Pennsylvania, and New York. It is of a 54. What are the characters of the Shore Lark ? 56. Whal are characters of the Sky Lark ? 56. What are the characters of the Titmice? What are their habits' Where are they found ? What are the charjcteis of the Tufted Titmouse ? BUNTINGS.— SPARROWS. 61 dark bluish ash-colour aboVe, wliitish beneath, and the flanks are tinged of a yeHowish brown 57. The Bvs-niics,— Eiiibenza—{Pl(it<; 3,fiy.9.) have a short, straight, conical beak, the upper mandible being narrower, enters within the lower, and there is a projecting hard tubercle on the palate. All these birds are granivorous, yet they also eat insects ; they. inhabit thickets, fields covered with hedges, gardens, and the woods rarely. They have little foresight, and are readily caught in traps. Some of them assemble in numerous troops in the winter. The most common species in Prance are the Yellow Bunting, — Emberiza eitrinnlla, — the Common Bunting, — Embe- riza miliaria, — and the Ortolan, — Emberiza hortuhna, — and there are several in t^e United States. Amongst the latter may be mtntioned here, perhaps, the liice Birdj or Boh o- Link, — Emberiza oryzinera, or Dolichonyx oryziimrvs. 58. The Spakrpws have a conical beak which is more or less thick at the base; they generally live on grains, and are for the most part voracious and destructive. They are divided into Sparrows properly so called, Weavers, Linnets, Goldfinches, &c. To the genus of Sparrows properly so called,— P^?-^)7o, — belong : 59. The Common Sparrow, — rFringilla domestica, — which is brown, spotted blackish above, with a whitish band on the wing, gray beneath, the sides of the crown in the male reddish, and his throat black. . It abounds in all parts of the eastern continent, except in those places where wheat does not grow ; this bird nests in holes in walls, and is very destructive from its voracity. The farmers complain very fhuch of the pillage of these bfrds ; the destructive war they wage against caterpillars, and winged insects, compensates, however, for their passing devastations ; and every thing considered, it may be said they are more beneficial than injurious to rural economy. The^sparrow is courageous, and often contends with birds ten times larger than itself and sometimes enters dove-cots These birds ordinarily nest under eaves or in hollows of trees; the nest is constructed of hay and straw, lined with feathers ; it is placed so as not to be mjured either by the sunshine or rain. The tenderness of the female for her young is very interesting. The male is distin guished from the female by a black spot on the beak. ^ 57. What are the characters of the Buntings ? What are their Jiahita ? 58. How are the Sparrows cliaraclerrsed ? 59. What are the., characters of the common Sparrow? What are ite faabits ? Where is it found? 2B» €2 GROSBEA KS.— BULLFINCHES. 60. The Common Chaffinches, — Fringilla coelebs, — are among the most common^ of European birds ; their habits are nearly the same as those of the common Sparrow, but they are more lively and their song is more varied. 61. The Common Goldfinch,' — Fringilla carduelis,-^is among the most beautiful birds of Europe. It is very docile, and quickly learns to sing, and to play all kinds of tricks. 62. The Yellow Bird, or American Goldfinch, — Fringilla tristis,—\\a.s black wings varied with white, and a black tail tipped with white. In summer, the male is dressed in yellow with a black crown, and in the autumn in brown olive, which is the permanent colour of the female and young yellow birds. It is a general inhabitant of the United States. . 63.' The Common Snow Bird, — Fringilla kyemalis, — is a hardy and very numerous species,, common to both continents. About the middle of October they pour in flocks^ from the northern regions into the United States, where their arrival is looked upon as the presage of winter. 64. The Linnet, — Fringilla canahina,-^\s found in all parts of Europe, and chiefly inhabits the planes; its song is very agree- able. 65. The .Canary Bird, — Fringilla canaria, — somewhat re- sembles the Linnet, though it differs from it very much in colour. "It sings so agreeably, and is so easily multiplied in a state of captivity, that it has become common throughout the world. Most naturalists agree that it came originally- from the Canary Islands, where it is. found wild in great numbers; but some travellers suppose that it was first brought from' Asia. 66. The Grosbeaks, — Caccuthraiistes, — are distinguished from other Sparrows by the great size of their beak which is exactly conical. The Common Grosbeak, — Imxiu caccothra'ustes, — is the most strongly characterised, It inhabits woody mountains and eats almonds and all sorts of fruit. 67. The Bullfinches, — Pyrrhula, — have a round beak which is inflated in every direction, and sufficiently strong to crush the hardest seeds. 66. How does the Chaffinch differ from the Common Sparrow 1 61. What is the common Goldfinch ? 62. What is the American Goldfinch 7 63. Wliat is the common Stiow Bird 7 64. W|iat is the Linnet ? 65. Where did the Canary. Bird come from originally 7 66. How are (he Grosbealis distinguished from other Sparrows 7 67. How are Bullfinches characterised ? CROSSBICLS.— CROWS.— RAVEN. 63 68. The Crossbills, — Lvxia, — resemble the Bullfinches, but the mandibles of the beak are so much curved at the point that they cross each other. By this singular beak they are enabled to tear out the seeds from under the pine-cones. The Cotnmon Crossbill, — Cvrviri stra ^meiicana, — is found inhabiting the ex- tensive pine forests in the interior of Pennsylvania, and the Northern States, from April to September. 69. The Becf-eaters,~ liuphapa, — make use of their beak, which is inflated at the end, to compress the skin of cattle to squeeze out the larvae of the (Bstrus which they eat. Only one species is known, which inhabits Africa. 70. The Staf lings, — S/erwas,— have a straight beak, depressed' at the point. They also follow cattle and feed on insects; They are found in all parts of the world. 71. The Cbows, — Cmvus, — have a large beak, straight at the base, curved towards the point, and cutting on the edges ; their nostrils are concealed by hairs directed forwards, their toes are entirely divided, and their wings are truifbate at the extremity. They live in troops, and are cunning and distrustful ; they readily become familiar, arid learn to speak with considerable facility. The senses of this bird, that of smell particularly, are very acute. They have the habit of stealing and concealing everything they find, even articles Which are useless to them, such as small pieces of money ; they provide provision for the future season, and feed on every kind of aliment, grains, fruits, insects and worms, living or dead flesh, so that no animal better merits the epithet of omnivorous. The principal species of this genus are : 72. The Raven,— Corvus corax, — is the largest passerine bird found in Europe. Its size is almost equal to that of the domestic cock ; its plumage is entirely black, its tail rounded, the back or top of the upper mandible arcuate in front. The female is of a less decided black, and her size is -somewhat less. This bird flies well and high ; it perceives dead bodies at a great distance, and feeds besides on all kinds of fruits and small animals. It lives very retired, but in pairs, which make their nest in crevices of rocks, or in holes in walls, in old abandoned towers, and some- times upon the summit of lone trees. The nest is very large, 68. What are the characters of. the Crossbills ? 69. From what circumstance do the Beef-eaters derive their name ? 70. What are Starlinsfs 7 71. What are the characters of Crows ? What are their Jhalits ? Upon what do they feed ? 72. What are the characters of the Raven? What are its habits ? What situations does it select for its nest? Where is it found? How does the female differ from the male ? 6 64 JACKDAW.— MAGFTE. and is composed externally of branches -and roots of shrubs ; bones of quadrupeds, or fragments of hard substances form the second layer, and the interior is lined with herbs, moss, and hair. About the month of March, the female lays five or six eggs of a pale bluish green colour, marked with a great many obscure spots and tints. The cares of incubation, which lasts about twenty days, are shared by the male. The Raven is met with in all climates ; it appears to be insensible to the vicissitudes of the seasons. When other birds are overcome by the cold and oppressed by hunger, it leisurely seeks its prey and hunts in the coldest atmosphere. Some travellers assert that they have seen Ravens that were entirely white ; which is apparently attributa- ble to the rigorous climate of northern- regions. 73. [The Crow, — CiytvusAmericanvs, — like the Raven, is a denizen of nearly the whole world. Our native Crow is black and glossy, with violet coloured reflections. It is a troublesomely abundant resident in most of the settled districts of North America. It is easily raised and domesticated, and soon learns to distinguish the different members of the family with which it is associated. t 74, [ The Fish-Crow, — Corviis ossifragus,^keeps apart from the common species, and spends its time near rivers, hovering over the stream to catch up dead, and perhaps living fishes. It breeds in New Jersey in tall trees, having nests arid eggs very similar to the preceding species.] ' 75, The Jackdaw, — Corvus moneMa, — is about the size of a pigeon ; it is less black than the Crow, inclining even to ash- crilour about the neck and below. It inhabits Europe through- out the year, and keeps about the tops of churches, in old t6wers, in ruined buildings, and sometimes, though rarely, around chim- neys; its nests are also found in the hollows 6f trees, and rabbit burrows. The female lays five or six eggs, which are paler and smaller than those of the Raven. Jackdaws are readily tamed and may be taught even to pronounce words. They like to hide a part of their food, and we sometimes find in their holes small pieces of money which they delight in stealing. They feed on grains, insects and fruits; they are particularly fond of partridge eggs, and they have been known to catch fish. 76. The Mac/pie, — Pica, — Corvus pica, — is a beautiful Tjird, ot' a sillqr black colour, with purple, blue and gold reflections: it 73. What afe the habits o£ the Crow ? 74. Where is the Flsh-Crow found? What are its habits? '■S. What are the charactSfSiof the Jacltdaw 1 What are its ha.blts T 76, What dre the characters of the Magpie ? What are its habits ' •_ JAYS. 65 is white beneath, and there is a spot of the same colour on the wing. The Magpie is omnivorous, and often commits great ravages in granaries and poultry yards. It never attempts long journeys, but flies from tree to tree when at a short distance apart. The female takes great pains in the construction of her jiest, never leaving a greater opening than is necessary for her own entrance and egress ; she covers it with a transparent veil composed of small thorny branches, closely interlaced ; she lines it with wool and other soft materials upon which her young ones snugly repose ; she lays seven or eight eggs of a pale gray colour, spotted black. This bird may be easily tamed and taught to pronounce words, and even short sentences ; often when a strange sound strikes her ear, she endeavours to imitate it. Like other birds of its genus, it is inclined to theft, and aJso has the -habit of concealing superfluous food. The Magpies are known to make so great a destruction among the eggs of grouse, pheasants, partridges, and even among young chickens, in many parts of Europe, as to be proscribed by law, and destroyed for the premium justly seton their heads. In this country, these birds are confined to the northern regions, and to the planes and table-lands x)f the Rocky Mountains west of the Mississippi. In Upper California, there is a species which differs from the pre- ceding, in having the bill, and a bare space beneath and behind the eye, yellow. It is called the Yellow-billed Maypie,^— Pica Nntfallu. 77. The Jay of Europe, — Conius glnndarius,^— is o^ a. vinous gray, with mustaches, and the quills of the tail black ; it is par- ticularly remarkable for a spot of dazzling blue, striped with a deep blue, which marks a part of the wing coverts. Jays are met with that have a white or yellowish plumage and a red iris like that of albinos. This bird is spread almost throughout Europe, where it lives in pairs, which assenible in small troops, and feed on acorns, gooseberries, cberries and insects. The Jays are of a petulent nature ; they are very lively, and quick in their motions ; and in their frequent paroxysms of rage, they forget their own self preservation, and are sometimes caught by the head betwixt two branches and die, thus suspended in t+ie air ; their perpetual agitation leads to increased violence when con- fined, and for this reason, they are not recognisable in a cage, not Jjeing able to preserve the beauty of their feathers, which are soon broken, torn and disordered, T>y their continual rubbing against its walls. [ The elegant and commpn American species, 77. What are the characters of the European Jay 7 What are its habits ? What are the characters of the Blue .lay 7 6b CROW BLACK BIRbS.— BIRDS OF FARAPISE. the Blue Jay, — Corvus cristatvs,—iesemh]es the preceding in its temper and habits. It is crested ; it is blue above, and beneath whitish with a black collar ; the wing coverts are transversely barred black, and the tail is wedge-shaped. 78. [The Great Crow Blackbird,-^Quiscalus major., — is glossy black.. This large crow-like species, sometimes called the Jack- daw, inhabits the, southern maritime parts-of the United States. It is sociable in disposition, and often mjfigles with the common. Crow-blackbirds. ' It is omnivorous, and feeds on insects, small shell-fish, corn and small grain, so that by turns, it may be viewed as the friend or plunderer of the planter. The common Crow- Blackbird, — Quiscalus versicolor, — and the Rusty Blackbird,^- Quiscalus ferrugineus, — are two other American species of this genus.] , 79. Birds op Paradise,— 'Pfl)-arfi« Hhmminq-bieds. Short, and lying close at the bottom of the throat Hoopoes. ,2. The Nuthatckes, — Sitta, — have a moderate, straight, depressed beak, which is cylindrical, conical, and trenchant at the point ; their nostrils are partly covered by hairs directed for- wards, and their tongue is short and very slightly protractile. They climb with agility in all directions, live on insects and nestle in the trunks of tree?. The Common Europenn Nuthatch, — Sitta Europcea, — is of a bluish ash-colour. It is sedentary, and inhabits the lofty forests. The male joins the female in the spring, in constructing the nest ; they establish themselves in a hole in a tree, and if the hole is too large, they reduce it with mud, which circumstance has acquired for it the name of Mason-pie; they line the interior with a thin bed of moss, upon which the female- lays from fi^e to seven grayish eggs, marked 1. What are the characters of birds of the family of Tenuirostres ? Wliat are the principal genera of this family 1 2. What are the characters of the NHfhatcheB ? What are the habita of the conimop European Nuthatch 7 tJpon what does it feed 7 6* » m CREEPERS. ^ ; r X • with small red spots. It is said, she is so muc'h attached to her eggs, that she never leaves them during the whole period of incu- bation, and takes no other food than that brought to her by the male. The young escape from the shell about the month of May, and very soon retire to live by themselves.- These Birds feed on insects,, grains, hazel-nuts, beech-nuts, flax-seed, (fcc. The mode of getting ^t the substance of the hazel-jiuts, consists in fixing them solidly in a crack, and then piercing them by repeated blows with their beak. 3. [In the United States we ha.ve the White-breastedJN'utkatch, — Sitia carolinensis, — which is lead colour, with the head and neck black above, and pure white beneath; the Red-bellied' Nuthatch, — Sitta canadensis, — which is of a rust colour be- neath, and some others ; all of which; in their general habits, resemble the European species,] ^ 4. The Creepers, — Certhia, — have a beak of moderate length, more or less arcuate, triangular, com pressed, and slender; their nostrils, which are horizontally pierced, are half closed by an arched membrane. -^ 5. ' Ih&Kjreepers •properly so called, — Certhia, — have a slanting tail, which is furnished with stiff, sharp quills ; it serves to aid them= in climbing trees; their tongue is sharp and adapted for piercing insects upon which they feed.. There is one species found in Europe, and one in the United States. TJhe European Creeper,-^ Certhia familiaris, — is a small bird which is met with in different parts of Europe, as far north as Siberia ; it is con- stantly climbing trees in pursuit of insects and larvae. The Brown Creeper, — Certhia americana, — is of a dj.rk gray varied with white, brown and dusky ; white beneath ; the rump and tail rusty. This industrious forager for insects, chiefly dwelling in the seclusion of the forest, is but Seldom seen in summer; but on the approach of winter, with other hungry wanderers of similar habits, such as the small W(*)dpeckers and Nuthatches, he makes his appearance on the wooded skirts of the vUlage, particularly among pine trees, and occasionally becomes familiar enough to pay a passing visit to the orchard. The species is neither common nor abundant, thougii their breeding range extends from Pennsylvaijia to Newfoundland. 3. What are the characters of the White-breasted Niithaich ? What are the characters of the Red-bellied Nuthatch? Where are these two species found ? ' 4. What are the characters of the Creepers i 5. What are the characters of the Creeper properly so called 1 What is the European Creeper ? Wliat is the Brown Creeper ? What are the habits pf these Wrds ? »<- HOMMING-BIRDS.— SYNDACTYLY 69 6. There are several sub-divisions of this genus. Those Icnown in France under the name of eahele.ttes, — -Ttchodroma, — climb lilce the preceding, but without supporting tliemselves with 'their tail, which is feeble and rounded ; they keep more on walls and rocks than on trees. 7. The HuMMiNG-BiRDS, — Trochilus, — {Plate 3, fig. U.) are celebrated .for the beautiful colours and metallic lustre of their piumage, as well as for their small size ; they inhabit America and the adjacent islands.' Their bpak is long, straight or arcuate, tubular and very' slender ; their tongue^ is long, extensible and bifid, that is, divided into two filaments ; their nostrils are covered *by a wide arched membranCj and their feet, which are very short, have the tarsi shorter than the middle toe; their wings are very long ; their plumage is sometimes ornamented with patches that are as brilliant as"preciot]g-stones. They feed on the nectar of flowers, about which they are seen buzzing and balancing in the air like certain flies, or rather butterflies. They sometimes eat small flies and other diminutive insects which they findln flowers. They live isolated, and defend tj^eir nests courageously, and some- times contend fiercely with each other. The Nortkerit Hum- ming-Urd, — Trochilus colubris, — is golden-green ; the tail forked and dusky, and the three outer tail feathers are of arusty w'hite at tip. The male has a changeable ruby-coloured throat, which in the feraalejs nearly white. This wonderfully diminutive and brilliant bird, is the only one of an American genus, of more than a hundred saecies,- which ventures beyond the limits of tropical, climates. _ * 8. The Hoo/3oe r- 3 *! fti g i S g §.3 D 3 n • «5 "'^ a. s a. onq pg o 5" /-. tr* O 2- o- "-* < rt BO O at SE a ^ P S> a— S~£.ss. "■ S 9 8. What arc the principal genera of the Family of GallinaceiB properlj ■o called? 78 H OCCOS TURKEYS.— PRACOCKS. 9. The Hoccoa, — Jlector,— are large gallinaceous birds of America, analogous to Turkieys, with a large round tail, com- posed of twelve lai^e, stiff quills ; their beak is thick, stout, compressed at the sid€S, surrounded at the base by, a naked skin, which is sometimes .gibbous ; the tarsi are elongate and without spurs ; they have four toes, three before and one behind, the latter resting a part of its length on the ground. These peaceful birds are easily tamed, and keep in great forests and on mountains. They seek their food on the ground, and perch upon the highest trees. Some nest on the large branches of trees, and others on the ground. Their nest is composed exterrvally of dried branches and moss, and internally of leaves ; they lay from two to eight eggs. In some parts of America Hoccos are reared as poultry. Their head is ornamented with a tuft of elevated- feathers which are curled at the end. 10. TvRKEYSi—Meleagtis, — ^^have the head and top of the neck covered by a papillated skin which is destitute of feathers; under the throat, there is an appendage which hangs from the neck, and on the front, another conical appendage which lengthens and swells in the male during excitement. A pencil of stiff hairs or bristles hangs from the lower part of the neck of the male ; the tail coverts, which are shorter and stiffer than in the Peacock, . can be erected in the same manner, so as to form a circle ; the males have feeble spurs. Turkeys, of which only two species are known, are originally from America, whence the Jesuit missionaries introduced them into Europe. The first Turkeys , appeared in France in 1570, and were served at the wedding of Charles IX. They have been naturalised in all climates on account of the excellence of their flesh. 1 1. Peacocks, — Pavo, — have a moderate, conical, curved beak, which is naked at the base ; the superior mandible is convex and vaulted ; the head, which is covered with feathers, is ornamented with a crest; the tarsi are armed behind with a conical spur ; but the most remarkable characteristic of these birds is, that the upper tail coverts in the male, are longer than the quills, and may be elevated when he spreads iiis tail. The Common Peacock,-^ Pavo cristatus, — has the head crowned with a crest of twenty- four straight feathers, and the feathers of the rump, which have a floating or loose beard, are of unequal size, being shorter in 9. What are the characters of Hoccoa ? What are their habits 7 10, How are Turkeys characterised ? To what part of tlie world are they indigenous ? When were Turlieys fiist used in France 7 n. How are Peacoclis characlerieed ? What are the characters of the Common Peacock? Are they found wild in any part of the world 7 PINTADOS.— PHEASANTS. 79 proportion as they are superior, and each one is terminated by numerous brilliant "metallic circles ; the female is destitute of this ornament, the richness and beauty of which, known throughout the world, are beyond description, particularly when the bird spreads its tail. The Peacock is still widely diffused in the wild state, in the north of India, and in most parts of the Indian archipelago. 12. The PiuTAnos, or Guinea-Fowls, — Nvtnida, — {Plate 5, fig. 1.) have a naked head with fleshy wattles on the lower part of the cheeks, and the cranium is generally surmounted by a callous crest; their feet are without spurs; their tail is short and pendent; and the feathers of the rump give the body a rounded form. 13. All the Pintados are originally from Africa; they live in numerous troops under bushes, and in copses, where they seek berries and saiall snails on which they feed. The European species have been transported to the New World, where, in many places, they have become naturalised in the wild state. 14. Pheasants, — /-"AasjaHWS, — (/-*/a/e 4, fy. II.) are naked around the eyes, and the cheeks are covered by a red skin, or by very short feathers ; they have no crest, and the lower mandible ■Is without wattles ; the tail quills, eighteen in number in most of the species, are placed on each other in two layers like shingles on the; roof of a house, or in other words, the tail is tectiform, and maintained in a- horizontal position. This genus is divided into many sub-genera, among which we will cite the Cocks, and Pheasants properly so called. 15. The Cocks,^GaUiis, — have a beak naked at the base, furnished with two pendent and compressed caruncles ; the head is surmounted by a fleshy crest, or a bundle of feathers ; the tarsi are armed with long, curved spurs, and only the end of the thumb rests on the ground ; the wings are short ; the quills of the tail, fourfe'en in number, form two vertical planes, placed back to back; in the male the coverts of the latter are prolonged into an arch over the tail proper. 16., The Cnimmon Cock, — f'hasianus gallus,— the female of which is called a Hen, is originally from India ; it is still met with wild, in the mountains of Ilindoostan, but in the domestic 12. How are Guinea-fowls characterised ? 13. To what country did the Pintados originally belong ? What are their habits } ■■ 14. What are the characieis of Pheasants? 15. How are the Cocks characterised ? 16. To what country does the Common Cock belong 7 7* 80 PHEASANTS. state^ it is spread thronghout the world. There exists a great number of varieties of it. 17. The Pheasants propfrly sn culled, have a long, cuneiform tail, each of the quills of which being inclined on two planes, cover each other like the shingles ' of a roof To this group belongs the Common Pheasant of Europe,-which is also originally fron^ Asia, and which is also remarkable for the beauty of its plumage. In the male, the top of the head and the upper part of the neck are of a silver gray, which, in t^e reflections of light, seems to change to blue. The feathers of the chest, of the shoulders, of the middle of the back, as well as those of the sides beneath the wings, have a blackish ground with purple edges on transverse lines of gold colour ; the plumage of the female is not so beautiful as that of the male : the iris is yellow and the eyes are placed between two parts which are of a scarlet colour. It is said, that the Pheasant was originally introduced into Europe by the Argonauts from the banks of the river Phasis in Asia Minor. 18. The Golden Pheasant, — Phasianus pictus, — (Plate 4. fig. II.) comes from China. It is one of the most beautiful birds known ; the belly is of a bright red ; a tuft of golden yello^v reclines from the top of the head ; the neck is surrounded by A magnificeqf orange collar, sprinkled with black-; the upper part of the back is green, and the lower part, as well as the rump, is yellow; the wings are bright red with a beautiful spot of blue; the tail, which is verjLlong, is brown, spotted wifh gray. 19. The Srgus,^-Ph0sianu>, argus, — comes from the south of Asia, The head and neck are nearly naked ; the tarsi are with- out spurs, and the secondary feathers of the wings are covered with eye-like spots, which, when the wings are spread, give the bird a remarkable appearance, 20. No jtrue Pheasant has yet been discovered in America, 21. The Grouse,— Tetrao,— are recognised by a naked and, ordinarily, red strip, that occupies the place of the eye-brow. They are very numerous and are divided into many sub-genera, ihe principal of which are the following : 22. 1st. The f/ca/A-CocA«, have the tarsi covereS with feathers and without spurs, the toes naked, and the tail round or forked : 17. How are Pheasants properly so called, cliaraclerised ? From what part of Ihe world is the true Pheasant derived ? 18. What are the charaeters of the Golden Pheasant ? J 9, How is the Argus recognised ? 20. Is there any true Phoa^ant in America ? 21. How is the genus of Grouse recognised 7 What are the piin'iipal fiuh^genera ? '23. How may the Heath-cocks be known 7 GROUSE. 8j 23. 2nd. The Ptarmigans, or White Grouse, which have the toe's feathered as well as the legs ; 24. 3d. The Partridges, the tarsi of which are naked like the toes, and armed, only in the male, with short spurs, or simple tubercles ; 25. 4th. The Quaik, which also have naked tarsi- without spurs, and in which, the eye-brow is not red. 26. The^Heath-Cocks, — Tetrao, — are for the most part birds of large size ; there is one species in France which is larger than the Turkey, and even larger than any other gallinaceous bird. The Great Heath-cock,— Tetrao vrogallus, — {Plate 5, fig. 3.) The plumage of the male is slate colour, finely and transversely striped with black ; the female, which is a third smaller, is fawn colour, with transverse, black or brown lines. The young resemble the female up to the firsi moultihg. This bird is found in considerable numbers in Russia, Siberia, and generally in all the northern parts of Europe and Asia ; and is more rare in Germany, Hungary, and France. It always lives in the same place, inhabiting through preference, mountain forests, and feeds chiefly on berries, buds, young shoots, grains, insects and worms. Its flesh is delicious. • 27.' [The Ruffed Grouse, — Tetrao umheltus,-~is mottXeA ; the tail is gray or ferruginous, speckled or barred with black ; the male has ^ruff of broad black feathers on the sides of the neck ; in the female the- ruff is smaller and dusky brown. It is known by the name of Pheasant, in the Middle and Western States, and by that of Partridge in New England. It inhabits the American continent from Hudson's Bay to Georgia, but is most abundant in the northern and middle parts of the United States. It feeds chiefly on berries. 28. The Pinnated Grouse, — Tetrao cupido, — is partly crested and mottled ; and the tail Is rather short and much rounded. The Grouse, or Prairie-Hen, is confined t6 dry; barren, and buslay tracts of small extent, and in several places it is now nearly or wholly exterminated. It is still met with on the Grouse Planes of New^rsey, on the Bushy Planes of Long Island, in 23. What are the generic characters of the Ptarmigans ? 24. How are the Partridges recognised ? SS. How ai-e the Quails reCognisr d ? 26. What are the general characters of Heath-cocks ? What are the characters of the Great Heath-Cock ? Where is it found ? What are its habits ? Upon what does it Red ? 27. What are the characters of the RuflFed Grouse l Where is it found ' By what other names is it known ? • ^' 28. Where la the Prairie-Hen found? " ~ 3J3 GKOUSE-PARTRTDGES similar shrubby barrens in Connecticut, and in the Island of Martha's Vineyard, on the south side of^Massachusetts'Bay.] 29. The Ptnriiiigons, or ■\\ kite Grouse, — Layopiis, — have a round or square, tail, and often become white in winter. fThe ^Ptarmigan, — Titroo lagopiis, — constantly resides in the coldest arctic deserts, and in the lofty mountains . of Central Europe, where, as the snow begins to melt away, it seeks out its frozen bed, by,- ascending to the limits of eternal ice. It is common to the extreme northern regions of both the old and new continent. It feeds on many kinds of berries, heath, young shoots of pine, and occasionally eats a;. few insects. To protect themselves against the entremecold of the climatej Ptarmigans dwell in the snow. As soon as they leave their frozen retreats in the morn- ing, they fly Vigorously upward into the air, shaking the snow from their warm and white,cl(fthing. They are much esteemed as food in every country where tjiey occur, and are commonly taken in nets. Between the months of April, and May, it is said, that as many as ten thousand are taken for the use of the Hud- son's Bay'settlement ; and in Europe, during the winter, they are carried in thousands to the marlcets of Norway.] 30'. fai'irit/jrcs live in, pairs, and keep on the ground. Two species of -Partridge are common in France : the gray and the red. The Gmy Partridge,— Tetiao cinvrevs, — keeps in the fields ; it is ashy brown elegantly mingled with black ; the tail is short and the legs are of a greenish white ; the beak and feet are ash-cfflour. In young Partridges there is observed, between eye and, ear, a naked skin which is of a brftliant scarlet. The male has on the breast a chestnut coloured spot in the form of a horse shoe. The female is distinguished by less brilliant and less marked colours. She lays from twelve to eighteen eggs, and makes a nest on the ground of dry leaves and moss. 'The young ones run the moment they escape from the shell, a part of which they frequently drag after th?m. It not unfrcquently happens that they place the eggs of a Partridge under a hen, who sits upon, and takes care of them as if they were her own. 31. The Red Partridge,— Tetrao riijiis. — has the beak and feet red ; it prefers to keep on hiUs and elevated places ; its flesh is whiter than that of the gray Partridge. 32. [American Partridges, — Ortyx,. — have the beak short, thick, higher than it is wide ; the upper mandible Curved from the 29. What are the habits of the Ptarmigan ? Where is it found ? 30. What are the chnracters of the Gray Partridge of Europe ? 31. How is the Red Par ridge distinguished ? 32 What ore the characters" of American Partridges ? QUAILS.-PIGEONS. 83 base ; no naked space around the eyv ; the nostrils half closed by a membrane. The tarsus is destitute of spur or tubercle. 33. "these birds' alight on low trees or bushes, sometimes roost ing in them; they also dwell on the ground, both by night^nd day. They are usually monogamous, the male taking charge of, and protecting the young, which associate wfth the old until the time of pairing. These are peculiar to America. 34. The American Partridge, or Qaail,—Ortgx virginiana — is without a crest ; the plumage cinnamon brown, varied With bilack and whitish; throat whtte, bounded with a black crescent ; beak black ; the feet ash colour. Though the Partridges of America are exceedingly prolific, they have been so thinned in some parts of the country, that sportsmen, acquainted With their local attach- ments, have been knowr^ to introduce them into places for breed- ing, to prevent thfeir threatened extermination.] 36. The Quails. — Co<«j-nJar,— arasmaller than Partridges, and have a shorter tail. The Common QwuiV of Europe, — Tctrao cofurnix, — has a brown back, waved with black and dotted with white, a brown throat, and a whitish eye-brow. The female makes a nest like the partridge ; she lays gjx or seven eggs which are of a gray colour with brown spots. They are hatched at the end of about three weeks. * > 36. Q.uails are birds of passage, and celebrated for their migra- tions ; they are found throughout Europe, and in most parts of the United States. In the autumn, they pass in immense "troops from Europe, across the Mediterranean to the coast of Africa; they return in the spring, and at that time they rest on some one of the Islands of the archipelago. FAMILY OF PIGEONS. 37. The Pigeons, — Columba, — are regarded as forming the natural link or transition between the Passerinas and Gallfnaceae. 38. Pigeons have a moderate, compressed,, straight, vaulted beak, which is curved at the point, ( I'lale 5, fig. 4. ;) their nostrils are in the middle of the beak, pierced through a soft skin and covered by a cartilaginous scale whjch is inflated or bulged at the base of the beak ; their feet are frequently red ; they have three toes in front, which are eTitirely separate, and a posterio'' « — . 33. What are their habits ? 34. What aie the ch'aractcrs of the Amefioan Partridge or Cfuikil? Whether is it migratory or sedentary in its habils? 35.' Wiiat are the characters of the common European Quail ? 36. What are the hiibits of Quails ? 37. What relation do Pigeons bear to the Passerince and Gallinaceee 7 38. What are the characters of Pigeons? What are their habits? 84 , PIGEONS. toe which is articulated upon the same plane as the others.. They fly well, and differ very pnuch from the Common GalUnacece in their habits, When they drink, they do not elevate the head as the latter do, and they ordinarily perch on trees. These birds always liye in a state of monogamy, and the male, never leaves his female companion.'* They evince great mutual 'tenderness and express it by frequently caressing each other, and by the accents of their voice, the modulation and tone of which have been designated by the term cooing. Both unite In the construc- tion of the nest, and place it, acccwding to the. species, sometimes on the tops of, the highest trees, amongst bushes, 6r_even on the ground, and other times in the cavities of rocks. This nest, coarsely constructed of small branches and leaves, is \ery open, and ordijiarily receives only two eggs, upon which the male and female alternately sit. One 'of these two eggs usually gives birth to a male, and the other to a female : and theseJ;wo individuals being, reared together remain forever after . paired. They feed their young by disgorging into their little throats, grains macerated in their own stomach, and which they cause to regurgitate into the beak by a kind of contraction. 39. These_ birds form but a single genus; among the wild species in Europe are the Cushat, the Rock Dove, and the Turtle Dove. 40. Pigeons are reared in vast numbers in the domestic state ; one of the most celebrated races is the Carrier Pigeont which is distinguished from all others, by a broad naked' band which surrounds the eye, and its deep^iblack pluiijage ; it is rem'ark- able for its rapid flight, and for the singular faculty it possesses of again finding the place where it was born, or where it left its young, after; having been carried to very great distances. It has been often gmployed to convey letters, and it has been known to make a journey of upwards ofa hundred leagues in a few hours. 41. [Among the American speeies, the most remarkable is the Passenger Pigeon, — Culumba migratoria, — which is bluish gray, with a white belly and black tail. The wild Pigeon of America, it is estimated,, can fly several hundred miles at the rate of a mile a minute.' The whole species seems to be always congregated in one huge- flock, composed of millions of individuals; and they retSain in one locality for several years, and' then lea\se it from dearth of food, which appears to be the' sole cause that deter- mines their migrations. They feed on acorns and berries \ 39. What number of genera constitutes the family of PigfeonsV 40. What are t'le ohaiaoters of the Carrier Pigeon ? How is it eniRloyed 7 41. What arp the characters of the Passenger Figoou ?* What artf i's labite? WADING BIRDS. 85 LISSSOX VII. Order of Graulatorij:. — •Zoological Chnraclers. — Habits.— Division into eight Families^ Family of ifiiEVippWNES. — OstMch. — Orgaj^isatioii. — Habits. — Casiuwaries. -^ ' Family op Pressirostres. — Bustards. — Plovers. — Lapwings. Family of Coltpirostres. — Cranes, (^Common Crane) — Herons, {Common Heron.) — Storks, (^Common Stork.) — Spoonbills, Family op ^ongirostres. — Genus of Curlews.^-Jbis, (^Sacred Ibis.) — Snipe, ( Woodcock, Common Snipe.)- — Tke .Svosets, Family op 'Macrodactyli. — Rails.-r- Water-Hens. Family of Flamingos. — Common Flamingo —rHabits. ORDER OF GSALLATORI.ffi. 1. The Order of Grallatoriae is composed of brrds that jfiave the lower part of the- leg naked like the tarsus, (Plate 5, fig, 5, to 11.) Almost all these birds are remarkable for the length of their legs, and appear as if they were mounted on stilts. Their feet, most generally, have a small palmate membrane betwixt the external toes, and they sometimes are without a thumb. Their form is ordinarily Iank,.and their neck is- very long ; their beak varies in its shape, but is" also, in general, very long. 2. Most of the Grallatoriae, which are also called Wa'ders,- or beach birds, frequent watery pljges, and wade in shallow waters to seek their food ; with some exceptioqs, they all feed on animal substancesj^and seek fishes, reptiles, or worms and in|ects, accor- ding as their beak»is strong or. weak ; a small nugiber of them feed on grains and herbage, and these, only live remote from water. And almost all these birds have^very long* wings ; they fly well, and extend their legs behind them when they, fly, whereas, other birds, on the contrary, fold them under the belly. 3. The Grallatoriae, which build their ne.sts on trees, and in elevated situations, aie monogamous, and feed their young until they are able to fly: almost all those that build on the ground are polygamous, and their young seek their own food soon after birth. * ♦ 1. 1. Whit aie the general characters of those birds that belong to the order of GriiliijtorisE? 2. What are the general habits of the Grallatoiioa or Wadens ? Upon what cli) they feej ? 0. In what rcspct do the monogamous differ from the polygamous Gra!- latoriiB 1 „ 2D* 86 ORDER OF GR\LLATORliE, 4. This order is composed of five principal families, and three small isolated groups, which differ too miich from the other Grallatoriae, to be comprised in the preceding divisions, and may, therefore, be considered as forming so niany separate families. 5. The five principal families, -yihich are characterised accord- ing to the form of the beak, are the Brevipennes, the Presslros- tres, the Cultrirostres, the Longirostres, and the Macrodactyli. 6. The three accessory families, each one of which is formed of a single genus, are the. Sheath-bills, or Vaginals, the Glarioles, an^Jilaraingos. * These different groups ma^ be distinguished by the following characters : ' „ u ■ • » GKiiXLATOKLE, having winga " h 1 ^i- 1 i :3k ois" gl S o ' ? f §■ B g-3 £. J? <. !4 p4. -V- "V a. _. '—<—' o _. . V > i >^ O fH O < ►t) Cd z s c i o 1 i 3 z ■ z 4 3 f a p s D o 4. Into how. many families is the order of Gralktoriee divided 7 5. What are the principal families 7 6. What are the accessory families ? OSTRICHES. 87 FAMILY OF BREVIPPENNES. 7. The Brevipennes {Plate 5, fig. 5.) are very large birds that are entirely incapable of flying, and have rudimentary wings only ; But they are remarkable for the strength of their posterior extremities, which renders them excellent runners. Here, the muscles of the chest not being required, as is the case in other birds to make the strong efforts necessary to depress the wings during flight, are very small, and there is no projecting keel in the middle of the sternum for their attachment, as in other Jairds ; this bone is in the form of a simple shield. It is to be observed also, that all the Brevipennes want the thumb, and that, both in the form of their beak and in their regimen, they are very analo- gous to the Gallinaceae. This family is composed of two genera : the Ostriches and the Cassowaries. The first have broad, flexi- ble feathers, and the second are covered with narrow, stjff' plumes, almost like bristles. 8. Ostriches, — Struthio, — (Plate 5. Jig. 5.) are very large birds with long legs and tarsi, a long slender neck, and a very small head ; they have only rudimentary wings, composed of loose, flexible feathers with isolated barbs, which are entirely unsuitable for flight, but which these animals make use of in running. The beak, which is of moderate length, is soft at the end ,• the eye is large and the lids are fringed with eye-lashes ; the tongue is short and rounded like a crescent ; the crop is enormous, the gizzard very strong, and the intestines volumi- nous ; and above the cloaca their is a sort of large reservoir in which the urine accumulates as in- a bladder ; and this is the only bird that urinates. 9. Two species of Ostriches are known: one, proper to the eastern continent, and characterised by having only two toes ; the other, proper to America, which is recognisable by having three toes. 10. The Ostrich of the Eastern Continent, — Struthio camelus, — (Plate 5, Jig. 5.) is tjje largest of birds ; it attains six or seven feet in height and weighs as much as eighty pounds; the head and neck are thinly covered with feathers ; the back, breast and belly -are covered with black mingled with white and gray leathers, and those of the wings and tail are white ; the thighs are almost as naked as the neck, and of the two toes which termi- 7. What are the characters of the Brevipennes? 8. What are the characters of O.-triches 1 9. How many species of Ostriches are known ? How are they di.tin- guished ? 10. What are the characters of the Ostrich of the eastern contineutT 88 OSTRICHES.— CASSOWARIES. nate the foot, the external one is but half the length of the other, and without a nail. 11. This bird lives in numerous troops on the sandy deserts of Africa and Arabia ; it is essentially herbivorous, but it is so voracious that it indiscriminately devours everything that falls within its reach until its stomach is filled ; it even swallows stones, fragmehts of metal, pieces of wood, and animal a"S well as the vegetable substances upon which it feeds ; the strength of its stomach is enormous. It can run more rapidly than the fleetest horse. The strength of this animal is astonishing; an Ostrich with two men on its back has been known to run faster than an excellent English courser. 1 2. The eggs of the Ostrich weigh nearly three pounds each ; in those countries which are not very warm, the female, and even the male sits upon them ; but on the burning deserts near the equator, they leave them in the sand, exposed to the^ heat of the sun. , The period of incubation seems to be about six weeks, and the young are feathered when born and aible to run at once. 1 3. The broad flexible feathers of the wings and tail of the African Ostrich are raiich prized as ornaments. 14. The American, or Three-toed Ostrich, — Struthiv rhea, — is more than one half smaller than that of the eastern continent ; its plumage is grayish, and the feathers are scarcely of any value. It abounds in Buenos Ayres. 15. The Cassowaries, — Casniarius, — are recognised at first sight by the feathers, the barbs of which being so lightly fringed that at a distance they resemble pendent hairs.; their wings' are even shorter than those of the Ostrich, and are totally useless even in running. 16 Two species are known, namely; the £mea, or crested Cassowary, and the Cassowary of New Hollarid. 17. The Emeu, or Crested Cassowary, — Struihio casuarins, — is almost as large as the Ostrich of the eastern continent, Ijut not so tall ; it is remarkable on account of the azure blue and red skin that covers the head and part of the neck ; for its -pen- dent caruncles like those of a Turkey, and for a sort of helmet or crest, formed by a bony prominence, covered with horn, which 11. What are the habits of the Ostrich of the old world? 13. What is the size of I he eggs of the Ostrich ? ■ 13. "The feathers of what part of. the Ostrich are used for ornament? 14. How does the American Ostrich differ 'IVoin the Ostrich of the old world ? 15. How are flie Cassowaries recognised ? 16. What species of Cassowary are linownl 17. What are the characters of the Emeu ? BUSTARDS. 89 surmounts the head. The feathers of the body are black, and for the most part double. It runs almost as rapidly as the Ostrich. It inhabits the Indian archipelago. 18- The Cassowary of New Holland, — Casuarius Nova Hoi- landice,-^is of a brownish gray, and almost the whole head- as well as the neek, is covered with fringed feathers. Its speed is greater than that of the preceding species. Its flesh resembles beef.' FAMILY OF PRESSIROSTRES. 19. The Pressirostres, like the Brevipennes, and many of the Longirdstres, are high on their legs, and without a thumb, or the thumb is too short to touch the ground ; their beak is of moderate length "and sufficiently strong to dig the earth in search of worms ; their wings are spmetiraes short, but can always be used in flight. {Plate 5, Jig. 6, and?.) 20. This family is composed of the Custards, the Plovers, the Lapwings, and some other genera, the chareicters of which are as follows : (Senera.) ■ Very short, ...... --". J. Bhstahds. ' Moderate. C Wfthout a thumb )■ Ploters. S-a Pi — Oh Pretty long; beak With a thumb, ^ L^Fvmas. Strang and pointed, - - }■ Otstpr-Catchers. 21. The BtrsTARDS, — Otis, — are large, heavy birds that resem- ble the Gallinaceae in the massive form of their l?odies, and in having the upper mandible slightly vaulted. Their wings are short, and they fly but little ; most commonly like the Ostriches, they employ them only to accelerate their speed when running. Their food consists of grains, herbs, worms and insects. Two species are found in Europe, namely ; the great Bastard, and the Little Bustard. 22. The Great Bustard, — Otis tarda, — which is of a bright fawn colour, crossed with numerous black streaks on the back, and grayish on the rest of the body, attains to more than three feet in length ; the male is the largest of European birds ; the female is about one third smaller. It is a timid bird, and keeps « 18. How is the Cassowary of New Holland characterised ? 19. How are the Pressirostres characterised? 20. What genera compose this family ? 21. What are the characters of Bustards ? Upon what do they feed ? 22. What are the characters of the Great Bustard ? What are its nabits 7 90 PLOVERS— LAPWINGS. on, naked and extended planes ; it flies little^ but runs with great rapidity. It nests in fields of grain, and qften unites in bands of from fifty to sixty individuals. 23. The Litlle Bustard, — Otis tetrax, — is more than one half smaller than the preceding ; it is brown, dotted with black above, and whitish beneath. It is less frequently met with than the Great Bustard. 24. The PLOvz^s,—Charadrius,— {Plate 5, fig. 6.) like the preceding, have , no thumb ; but their, moderate beak is com- pressed and swelled at the end ; their wings are moderate, and they fly well. They habitually frequent sea-coasts, the mouths of rivers, maritime marshes, and feed chiefly on worms, which they induce to crawl out of the ground by striking their feet upon it. Some species live solitary, and others in small troops. They emigrate every year, in more or less numerous troops,_ and it is chiefly in the autumn during the rains, that they are seen in greatest numbers ; from this circumstance they have obtained their name. When on land, they are in constant motion, and they fly in a long file. Their flesh is delicate and esteemed : in those provinces where_ they are common, many are taken by means bf nets. The species of France are seen only in autumn and spring \ they are the Dotterel, the Golden Plover, and the Ring Plover; they are all found in the United States. There are several species which have a horny spur on the carpal end of the forearm. 25. The Lapwings, — Vanellus, — differ from Plovers in having a thumb, but it is so small that it does not touch the grouhd. Their habits are the same, and they often go in company Avith them. 26. The Crested Lapwing, — Vanellus cristutvs, — inhabits Europe; it is a pretty bird of the size of a Pigeon, bronze black with a long and slender crest, {Plate 5, fig, 7.) It arrives in France in the spring, builds its nest in the fields, and . remains through the summer ; but most of the species very soon after their arrival^ continue their course to the north, and return in the autumn. . " 27. [The Oyster-Catchers, — Hcemaiopus, — ^have a somewhat longer beak than the Plovers or Lapwings. They dwell..exclu- siveiy along the borders of^the sea, frequenting beaches and 23. What are tho characters of the f.it Ic Bustard ? 34. What are the characters of the Plovers ' From what circamstance do they derive their name? What arc their habits? 95. How do LapB'inQ;s differ from FIovlts 1 96. What is the Crested Lapwing ? 37. How are tlie Ojrstir .catchers ch .racterised ? What are their habits 7 CRANES. 91 sandy shores, where they are seen to follow the waves in search of marine insects. The Oyster- Catcher, — Hcematopus estralegw^, — is common to the north of both continents, and is frequent on the sea shore of New Jersey and the Southern States. FAMILY OF CULTRIROSTRES. 28. All the Grallatoriae of this family have a long, thick, strong beak, which is frequently trenchant and pointed ; in general, they have a well marked thumb. 29. It may be divided into three tribes, namely : 1st. The Cranes, which have a straight beak, slightly cleft, and nearly one half of it is occupied by the membranous fossas of the nostrils. 2nd The Herons, whose beak is strong, cleft to beneath the eyes, and grooved. 3d. The Storks, whose beak is very long, and very stropg. 30. The Cranes, — Grvs, — have a straight beak which is but slightly cleft ; the toes are moderate, the external ones being a Jittle palmate, and the thumb scarfcely touches the ground. Almost all of them have the head and neck, to a greater or less extent., destitute of feathers ; their habits are rriore terrestrial than those of the other Cultrirostres, and their food is more vegetable. 31. The Trumpeters, — Psophia, — and Cranes properly so called, are ranged under this division. Among the former are the Crowned Crane, which comes from the western coast of Africa, and theNumidian Crane; and amongst th_e latter is the Common Crane, which is more than four feet high ; and which is celebrated for the migrations it makes every autumn from north to south, and every spring in a contrary direction, in numerous and well conducted troops. 32. [The^ Whooping Crane, — Grus americana, — is white; primaries black, and with black shafts ; the whole crown and cheeks bald. This stately Crane, the largest of all the feathered tribes in the United States, is met with in almost every part of North America, dwelling amidst marshes, and dark and deso- late swamps ; it retires to the West Indies to pass the winter, though some have been known to linger, through the whole of the inclement season, in the swamps of New Jersey, near Cape May.] 28. How are the Cultrirostres char^acterised 7 39. Into what tribes is the family of Cultrirostres divided T 30. How are Cranes characterised ? 31, For what is the common Crane celebrated? 33. What are the characters of the Wliooping Crane? 8* 92 HERONS.— STORKS. 33. The Herons, — Ardea, — are more carnivorous, and are recognised by their larger toes, and by their strong beak which is cleft to beneath the eyes, and acummated. They are gloomy birds, and build their nests in swamps, along the banks of rivers. They feed on fish, frogs, moles, insects, &c. 34. The tribe is divided into Herons properly so called, Boat- bills (Caracj-omn) &c. The beak in the first is higher than it is wide, and in the second flattened and very broad. 35. Herons properly so called, — Ardea, — have the eyes sur- rounded by a naked membrane, which extends to the beak ; the tarsi are scutellated, &c. 36. The Common Heron,— Aden ainerea, — is a large bird, the plumage pf which is bluish ash>colour, with thefront of the neck white, sp^nkled with black tears, and a black tuft on the occiput ; it is almost always solitary, and is often seen for 4ours together, on the same spot, standing rnotionless on one foot, the body almost straight, the neck bent, and' the beak resting on one shoulder ; it is gloomy and timid, and, in general, flies during the night, when it iitters a harsh, sharp cry ; its flight is not rapid, but very powerful, and it can soar to an immense height. Its depredations on the fishes of European rivers, render *it highly prejudicial ; it is celebrated on account of the sport which the wealthy in former times, derived from hunting it with falcons. 37. The Crab-eater, is a species of Heron of small size which is found in the mountainous districts of France ; it frequents the vicinity of ponds. > ' 38. The name of Egrets is given to certain Herons, the feathers of which, on the lower part of the back, at a certain period, are long and fringed ;. the most beautiful species, the feathers of which are used for ornamental purposes, are' the Great and the Little Egret ; their plumage is entirely white, and they are met with in Europe. 39. The Bitterns, and Night-Herons, also belong to this tribe. 40. The tribe of Storks is characterised by a larger and smoother beak than the preceding, and by strong, almost equal palmate membranes betwixt the bases of the toes. 33. What are the characters of Herons ? 34. How is the tribe of Herons divided ? 35.- How are Herons properly so called, characterised ? 36. What are the characters of the Common Heron? What are its habits 7 37. Whatis theCrab-eater? 38. What are Egrets 7 39. What are Bitterns ' 40. How is the tribeof StolUs characterised? STORKS.- SPOONBILLS. 93 41. The fi tor ks properly so called, — Ciconfa, — have a large beak which is moderately cleft ; their light and broad mandibles, by striking against each other, produce a peculiar clash. Their legs are reticulated and not very muscular. Their, movements are slow, and their steps long and measured ; in their powerful and sustained flight, they carry their heaa stiffly in advance, and their legs, extended behind, serve them for a rudder. 42. The White Stork,— -Srdea ciconia, — (Plate 5, Jig. 8.) appears in France and Germany in the spring, and passes the winter in Africa. It is a large, white bird, with the primaries of the wings black, and the beak and feet red. They live in pairs, and return every year to lay in the same nest. There is no bird which has received, from different nations, more universal pro- tection than this, which is, in fact, every where usefiil ift ridding the soil of prajudicial animals, without, af the same time, doing the smallest injury. Among the ancients, this veneration was carried to such an extent, that it was made a crime to kill one of these birds ; in Thessaly it was even punishable by death. Like the Ibis, the Stork was an object of worship amongst the Egyptians ; and Its- instinctive qualities have no doubt con- tributed to increase this respect which is perpetuated among the orientals, and still observed in Switzerland and Holland. It has so much affection for its young that it does not quit them in the greatest danger ; it is recorded in history, that the Stork of Delft, which was uselessly urged to carry away her young, remained and perished with them in the conflagration of that city. The tender attentions which these birds pay to their parents in old age, are not less remarkable, and it is for this reason.that the Greeks gave their name to the law which obliges children to fui nish aliment to their parents when they are in want. 43. Some species of Storks have on the middle of the neck an appendage which resembles s large sausage, on account of which they are called. Pouched Storks; the featners from beneath their wings form those light plumes which are called, by the French, Marabous ; cfne" species is found in Senegal, and another in India. 44. The SpoonbiUs, — Platalea, — resemble the Storks i» their whole structure ; but their beak, from which they derive their name, is flat, and widened at the end into a round disk like a spatula, (^Plate 5, Jig . 9.) This conformation permits them to 41. What are the characters of Slorks properly so called? 49. What is the While Stork ? What are its habits? For what is a remarkable? x 43. What are Pouched Storks? 44. What are the charaelers of the Spoonbills ? 2E 94 IBISES. feed only on little animals which they obtain, either by rooting in the mud, or fishing in the water. One species is spread throughout the eastern continent, suad another is proper to South America. FAMILY OF LON61ROSTRES. 45. The Longiroatres have a long, slender and feeble beak, which is only suitable for rooting in the mud, in search of worms and small insects, {Plate 5,Jii/. 10.) These Grallatoriee form two tribes, Snipes in which the beak is straight, orcurved downwards-; and the Avosets in which the beak is curved upwards. 46. The first of these groups is composed of the Ibis and Curlews, in which the beak is arcuate, and Snipes properly so called, Sandpipers, the Ruffs, and a great number of" other birds in which the beak is straight. 47. The Ibises, (Plate 5, /fjr. 1 0.) have the beak arcuate, a part of the head, and even a part of the neck, destitute of feathers, the external toes perceptibly palmate, and the thumb sufficiently long to rest on the ground. 48. ["Species of the Ibis inhabit all quarters oftthe world. They frequent the borders of rivers and lakes, where they are accustomed to feed on insects, Crustacea, worms and shell fish, to which they also, at times, add vegetables^ But we may place among popular fables, the reputation they have long enjoyed, of being the great destroyers of serpents and venomous reptiles, which in fact, they never touch. They migi'ate periodically to such distances, that the boundaries of the earth alone seem to set limits to their wanderings."] — Nuttall. 49. A species of this genus, the Sacred Ibis, — Ibis veUgiom, — is celebrated on account of the religious worship it received among the Ancient Egygtians ; it was reared in the temples of that country, and embalmed after its death. According to some, these honours were rendered to the Ibis because it devoured serpents which might have become dangerous to the country, and according to othracs, because its appearance" announced the rise of the Nile. It is often seen sculptured on the monuments of that remarkable people. It is ;a bird of about the size of a hen ; the "plumage is white, except the ends of the primaries of the 45. How are the Longiroslros characterised ? How is this fimily divided ? 46. What birds compose the tribe of Snipes? • 47. What are the characters of the Ibises 1 48. Where are Ibises found? Upon what do they feed ? 49. What is the Sacred Ibis ? Why is it called sacred ? Wliat are its fsharacters ? CURL EWS.— SNIPtlS.— AVOSETS. _95 wings, which are blacif, and the beak, and the feet, as well as the naked portion of. the head and neck, which are also black. This species is found throughout Africa. 50. The Curlews,— 'Numenius, — have the beak arcuated" like that of the Ibis, but it is more slender and round throughout ; the tip of the upper mandible extends beyond the end , of the lower one, and projects a little downwards in front of it. The toes are palmated at base. They are met with on our own coasts. 51. The Snipes PROPERLY so called, -r- iSco/opaa;, ^- have a straight beak, a compressed head, with large eyes, placed far back, and the feet are not palmated; they are singularly stupid in appearance, which is not contradicted by their habits, 52. The Common Woodcock oi Kvaope, — Scolopaxrusticola, — inhabits lofty mountains during the summer, and descends into the woods about the middle of October ; it goes alone or in pairs, particularly in bad weather, and seeks worms and insects in the soil. 53. [The American Woodcock, — Seolopax minor, — differs from the European species, in the, temperature of -the climates selected for its residence. It is met with, in summer, between the river St. Lawrence and the limits of the Middle States, and in the winter retires to, or beyond the boundary of the Union. It revisits Pennsylvania early in -March. The sensibility of the end of the beak, as in the Snipe, is sufficiently acute to enable it to collect its food by th^ sense of toucl^ without using the eyes.] 54. The Saipe,r— Seolopax gallinago, — is smaller than the pre- ceding ; it inhabits marshes, the banks of rivulets, &c. Two other species are found in France, the Great Snipe, and Jack Snipe. All these birds are excellent to eat. The- American species closely resemble those of Europe. 55. The AvosETs, — jRecurvirostra, — are distinguished by their long beak which is slender, elastic, and curved upwards, and by their feet being palmate almost to the ends of their toes. There is one'species in Europe. [The .American Anoset, — Recurvirostra americana, — arrives on the coast of Cape May, in New Jersey, ate in April, and early in October retires with its young to winter in the South.] 50. How are the Curlews characterised ? 51. Wh it are the characters of Snipe properly so called 7 52. What are the habits of the European Woodcock? 53. What are the habits of the American Woodcock ? 54. What is the Snipe 7 55. Howr are the Avoaets jdistinguishod? 96 RAILS. FAMILY OF MACRODACTYLI. &6. The Grallatoriae composing this family never have the beak as slender, and as weak as it is in the Longirost^-es, but, in other respects, its form varies very much. They are chiefly characterised by the arrangement of their toes, which are very long, fitted for walking on the grass of inarshes ; or even for swimming, in which case they are widened by a species of lateral border, (Plate T, fig. 9.) but they never possess the smallest trace of a palmate membrane ; the thumb is always quite long ; the body is singnJarly compressed ; and their wings are moderate or short, and their flight is feeble. 57. Some of them, (the Jacanas, for example,) have the wings armed with a spur ; others are destitute of this kind of spur ; they are distinguished into Rails and Coots, according as the front is feathered, or furnished with a homy shield. 58. The Rails,— fiaZ/a*, — have the front feathered, the beak compressed and nearly straight, the head small, the toes destitute of lateral festo'bns, and the wings concave. They ordinarily keep concealed beneath the grass during the day, and seek' their food, in the morning and evening, amidst the rushes and herbs of marshes and prairies. 59. The Water Rail of Europe, — Rallns aguaticns, — is fawn coloured brown, spotted with blackish above, blnish "ash-colour beneath, and striped black and white on the flanks. Its flesh has a marshy odour. It is common along rivulets, "and ponds ; it swims well and runs lightly over the leaves of aquatic plants. 60. [The Clapper Hail, or Mvd-Hen, — Rallus crepitans, — abounds In the Middle and Southern States. It is very numerous on the extensive salt marshes of New Jersey, where they are intersected by numerous, tide water ditches. It winters near to, or witliin the southern boundaries of the Union. J 61. The Crex,or Land Rail, — Rallus crex,— is vulgarly called the King Of the Q,uails, because, from the circumstance of arriving and departing with them, and keeping on the same grounds, it was believed that he led them. It lives and nests in the fields, and runs through the grass with great rapidity. 56, How are the Macrodactyli characterised 7 57, How is the family of Macrodactyli distinguished ? 58, What are the character^ of the Rails? 59 What are the characters of the European Water Rail ? 60. What is the Mud-Hen? Gl, What is the King of Quails ? COOTS.— FLAMINGOS. 9T 62. The Coots, — Fulica, — are readily distinguished from the Rails by a sort of horny plate, which extends from the base of the beak, and covers the foTehead. This genus comprises the Water- Hens, — Galtinula, — which are characterised by their very long toes, furnished with a narrow border. In general, they live singly or in couples, sometimes in small troops of three or four, on stagnant waters ; they swim and dive readily ; during a great part of the day they keep concealed amongst reeds and rushes, and venture only upon the surface of the waters at night. Their flight, during which their legs are pendent, is neither lofty, sus- tained, nor rapid. There is one species widely spread in Europe The American Coots resemble those rf Europe. FAMILY OF FLAMINGOS. 63. This division of the Order of Grallatoriae is composed of a single genus, which is very remarkable for the singular struc- ture of its beak, and the disproportionate length of the legs and neck. {Plate 5. fig. 11.) 64. Flamingos, — Phoenicopterus, — are la:ge birds that stand high on their legs ; they have palmate feet, an extremely long, slender neck, a small head, the upper mandible flat, and suddenly bent down at its middle to be applied over the lower mandible which is oval, and loHgitudiiially hollowed into a senu-cylindrical canal ; the edges of both mandibles are furnished with very delicate little transverse plates like those of ducks, and their tongue is thick andfleshy. They live on shell fish, insects, and the eggs of fishes, which they obtain by means of their long neck, and by bending down the head, to use the hook of the upper mandible. to advantage. 65. The most common species is spread over the eastern con- tinent, as far as the fortieth degree of north latituda Numerous troops are seen every year on the soul;tiem shores of France, and sometimes they ascend as far as the river Rhine. The Red Flamingo, — Phaeaicopteiras ruber, — ^is from three to four feet high, of a purple red on the b.aok, and rose coloured wings. Its habits are very remarkable. These birds are always in troops, and they form a line for the purpose of fishing, and this disposi- tion to be in file remains, even when they repose on theshori Tiiey appoint a sentinel for their common security; whether 63. How are Coots distinguished from Ralls ? What are ttie characters of Water-Hens 7 What are their habits ? 63. Is there more than one genos in th« family of Flamingos? 64. How are Flamingos characterised 1 ^. What are the characters of the Red Flamingo ? What are its habits T Upon what do Flamingos feed t 2E» as PALMIPEDES. fishing or at rest, one of them is always on the lookout, with head erect, and if any thing alarms him, he utters a braying cry, resembling the sound of a trumpet, which is the signal for depar- ture ; as soon as the troop rises, and when they fly, they still preserve the line. The manner in which they construct their nest, is also worthy of attention ; they ordinarily build on drowned or wet'shores; they construct it on the water's edge, of marsh mud, in the form of a sugar loaf, truncated at top, about twenty inches high, and as they cannot, on account of the extreme length of their legs, squat in their nest, they straddle over it, the legs banging down on each side, and resting on the ground. 66, The ancients esteemed the flesh of the Flamingos very highly, and its fleshy tongue was particularly prized by the Romans ; but the moderns, w^ho have had occasion to eat these birds, have found the flesh oily and disagreeable. 67. The Glarioles and Vaginals, or Sheath-bills, offer nothing very interesting ; the first are found in all the northern part of the eastern continent, and the second in New Holland. LESSON VIII. Order of PALuwEDES-^Zoological' Characters. — Habits. — Divi- sion into four families. Familt op Divers. — Grebes. — ^uks. — Penguins. Family op Longipennes. — Petrels. — .Slbatrois. — Gulls. — Sea- Swallows. Family op Totipalmatje. — Genvs of Pelicans, (^Pelican properly so called.) — Organization. — Habits. — Frigate Bird. — Boobies. Family op LamelliRostres.— Genus of Ducks. — Swans. — Geese. — Ducks. — Eiders. — Genus of the Mergansers. ORDER OF FALIHIPEDBS. I. This name is given to birds in which the toes are^united by a palmate membrane, but in other respects without the conforma- tion that belongs to the Grallatoriee ; every Palmipede has, in fact, the interval which separates the toes, filled up by a broad membrane, which envelopes them to neai the nail, or in other 66. Is tlio flesh of Flamingos considered good food ? 67. What arc Glarioles and Vaginals ? 1. What are Palmipedes? What are the most remarkable partB ofthetr organization 7 How is this order divided ? DIVERS. 99 words, they are web-footed. Their feet are made for natation,- that is, they are placed far baolc on the body, and sustained by strong, compressed tarsi. A close, lustrous plumage imbued with an oily fluid, and a thick down next to the skin, protect them against the water upon which they dwell. They are the only animals of this class, in which the neck exceeds — and some- times very much— the length of the feet, for the reason that when swimming on the surface of the water, they often have to seek animals upon which they feed in its depths. The localities which they inhabit, removes most of them from the empire of man, and in ma-ny respects even from the investigation of naturalists. Birds of this order generally possess a system of organization which is strong and appropriate for extensive flight ; their sternum is very long, affording ample protection to most of their viscera, and has but one notch or oval hole on each side, which is filled by mem- brane, so that this bone a'fibrds a wide surface for the attachment of the depressor muscles of the wings. This order is divided into four famUies according to the following characters : . (Families.) Having excessively short wings, and the legs "l placed so far back, that they are obliged, when on I land, to preserve an almost vertical positian. They [ By little, or not at all, or Divers. Having the wings- of ordi- nary length, or even very long, and the feet so placed as to ena- ble the animal to walk when in a horizontal posi- tion. {The thumb free, "> or wanting. Wings > Longipemhks. excessively long.* } ( The thumb united j to the other toes 1 a common mem Lbrane. Wings long. tedT by I ag. J TOTIPALMATA The beak covered by a soft "1 sliin, and the edges furnished I LAMELLiKOSTttM. with transverse lamellee, or very 1 fine teeth. FAMILY OF BRACHYPTER^, OR DIVERS, 2, They have the legs placed farther back than all other birds, which renders it laborious for them to walk, and generally obliges them t9! keep in an erect position when on land, (Plate 6, fig, l,and-2.) As most of them fly badly, and as many of them cannot even fly at all, in consequence of the extreme •> shortness of their wings, they may be regarded as belonging, almost exclu- 3. What are the characters of the Braohypterte 7 What are iheir habits ? How is this family divided 7 9 100 DIVERS.— GREBES. sively, to the surface of the water : 'their plumage is very close m structure, and even frequently presents a smooth surface afnd a silvery brightness. They swim perfectly, with the body entirely under water, and use their wings almost as if they were fins. This family is divided into three tribes, namely : 1st. The Divers, in which the beak is moderate, strong, straight, very pointed, and compressed, and the nostrUs are lateral, linear, and half closed by a membrane. 2nd. The Auks, in which the beak is very compressed, trenchant, and ordinarily furrowed transversely. 3d. The Penguins, in which the beak' is pointed or hooked, and the wings are furnished only with feathers, which are so short that they resemble scales. 3. The Divers, are sub-divided into Divers properly so called, Grebes, Guillemots, &c. 4. The Divers properly so called, — Colyml/us, — are recog- nised by their long toes, which are entirely palmate, and armed with pointed nails; the thumb is short and provided with a small membrane. Their tail is very short and round. These birds never quit the water except during the season of laying, and then they walk by the assistance of their wings; if -these supports fail them, they fall upon, the belly, and have great difficulty in rising. They keep habitually under water, and scarcely show any thing but the head to breathe from time to time. They fly well, but rarely, and dive at the flash of a gun, without attempt- ing to fly. They f^d oh fishes, spawn, and aquatic insects, The most common of its tribe, in the United States, is the Loon, or Grvut Northern Diver, — Colymbvs glacialis. 5. The Grebes, — Podiceps,— (Plate 6, fig. 2.) in place of true palmate membranes, have the toes widened like the Grallatoriae of the genus Fulica, and the anterior ones being united only at the base by membranes. They live on lakes and ponds, and build among the rushes. They swim with ease, and dive fre- quently ; the semi-metallic lustre of their plumage has caused their skins to be applied to the same use as fur. There are several species in Europe which are not well distinguished ; tjie largest is of the size of a duck, and the smallest is not larger than a quail. 6. The name of Guillemots,— Uria,— is given to Divers that want the thumb, and that have shorter wings than the preceding. 3. How are the Divers divided ? , 4. How are Divers properly so called, diaracterisod ? What are their habits ? What is the Loon ? 5 What are the characters of the Grebes 1 . 6 What arc Guillemots f AUKS.— PENGDINS. 101 7. Birds of the tribe of Adks, — ^Ica, — have a broad, straight, compressed bealf, which is very much curved at the point. The nostrils, which are about the middle of the bealc. are almost closed by a membrane covered with feathers ; the feet are short, have only three toes, and are completely palmate ; the nails are slightly curved. They have the same habits as the birds of the preceding genera, and, like" them, inhabit the north. With the exception of a single species, they all fly but little, and'always grazing, or lightly touching the surface of the water. [The Razor-bill Jluk, — £.lca tarda, — inhabits the coldest regions of the northern hemi.'?phere. It is gregarious in its habits, and flies rapidly, but near the surface of the water. The Great Auk, or Northern Penguin, — Mca impennis, — inhabits the highest lati- tudes of the globe, dwelling by choice and instinct, amidst regions covered with eternal ice Its wings are extremely short and use- less for flight.] 8. The tribe o{ PESGVi: Ska-Swallows. Skimmers. 11. The Petrels, — Procellaria, — have a beak, hooked at the end, the extremity of which seems to consist of a distinct piece, articulated with the remainder ; their nostrils are united in a tube laid on the back of the upper mandible ; in place of a thumb, there is a nail planted in the heel. Of all the palmipedes these remain most constantly at a distance from land ; and when a tem- pest supervenes, they are often forced to seek shelter on reefs and ships, which circumstance has obtained for them the name of Storm Birds, That of Petrel, (little Peter) is given to them, it is said, from their habit of walking on the water, by the assistance of their wings, which reminds us of the miracle of Saint Peter walking on the Lake flf Gennesaret. They build their nest in holes, in rocks, and they eject upon those that attack them an oily fluid with which their stomach appears to be always filled. The greatest number of species inhabit the seas of the Antarctic pole. 12. These birds are nocturnal ; they seek their food only in the morning, or evening twilight. During the day they lie concealed in caverns and clefts of rocks. They feed on the bodies, of dead cetacea, mollusca, and worms that float on the surface of the water. To this genus belong the Stormy Petrels, or Mother Carey's chickens — Procellaria pelagica, — Cape Pigeons, &c. 10. What are the principal genera of the family of Longipennes ? li. What are the characters of the Petrols? 12. What are the habits of Petrels/ ALP.ATR03S.— GULLS-^SEA-SWALtOWS. ^103 13. The Albatrosses, — Diomedea, — have a very long, very strong, hard, trenchant arid compressed beak, which Is ^straight at the base, and suddenly curved towards the end ; (he no'strils are tubular, and placed in a furrow ; the feet are short and pal- mate, and have but three toes; the nails are short and dull. 14. The x'Vrbatrosses are the largest of all oceanic-birds ; their heavy, massive form seems to bear very little relation to their rapid and long continued flight, which has caused them to be called by mariners Ca/)e Sheep, or Mau-nf-war-birds. The species best known, is white with black wings. Of all birds, this one is seen at the greatest distance from land; it generally inhabits extra-tropical latitudes, and it is chiefly in those seas which wash the three great southern capes, that it is most com- monly seen. It was for a long time' believed that-it belonged exclusively to the southern hemisphere, and was never seen in the north. 15. The genus of Gulls, — Larvs, — (Plate 6. jig. 5.) have a moderate entire beak, which is naked at the base ; the upper mandible is curved at the point, and the inferior, swelled and angular beneath ; the nostrils are median and longitudinal ; the tarsi are pretty long, and naked above the knee : the thuaib which is articulated high up, is sometimes without a nail ; the tail is rectilinear, and the wings are long. The name of Goelandt, or Gulls properly so called, is given to large species, the size of which exc€elis that of a duck, while the smaller species are called JMouettes. 16. Mouettes mhabit the sea shore of all parts of the globe. They are clamnrous and voracious; they feed on fisheffand small animals, as well as on carrion and dead bodies; their gluttony is such that they may be easily taken by enveloping a hook with feathers which, floating on the surface, in their eyes, resembles a little fish. 17. The Sea Swallows, or Terjis, — Sterna, — derive their name from their- excessively long wings and forked tail which give them the appearance of common Swallows. Their beak is as long or longer than the head, almost straight, compressed, trenchant, acute at the point, and both mandibles are of equal length ; the nostrils are about the middle of the beak ; the feet are small, naked above the knee, the tarsi are very short, and th-e 13. What are the characters of the Albatross? 14. Where are Albatrosses found ? 15. How are Gulls characterised ? What are Goclanda? 16. What are Muuoltes ? 17. What are the char.icters of Sea-Swallowa f 9* 104 SKIMMERS— PELIGiVNS. anterior toes are uniled by a membrane. Their nails are small and arcuate. These birds fly a great deal, rarely alight upon the water, and do not swim. They feed on little fishes or insects which they seize as they fly, skimming the surface of the water. All birds of this genus are clothed in white, with the bade, wings, and tail, pearl gray. 18. The SHmmers, (Out-waters, or Shear- waters,— TJAyncAnps, ^are remarkable for the singular form of their beak, the lower, mandible of which is much longer than the upper, both being flat- tened, so as to form simple blades, which meet without clasping. They inhabit the West Indies. [The Cut-water, or Black Skimmer, — lihynchaps nigra, — is a bird of passage in the United States. It arrives from its winter quarters about the middle of May, on the sea shores of New Jersey, where it breeds : its favourite haunts are aloiig the low sand-bars and dry flats of the strand, in the immediate vicinity of the ocean.] FAMILY OF TOTIPALMATjE. 19 The birds of this family are remarkable for having the thumb united to the other toes in the same membrane, and not- withstanding this organization, which converts their feet into excellent paddles, they are the only birds among the Palmipedes that .perch on trees. They all fly well, and, have^short feet. The characters of the most important genera of this family^are contained in the following table : (Greiiera.) ■ Having a large cutaneous pouch or sao, suspended I Peucans between the branches of the lower mandible. •S . Without a sac bejaeatb the lower jaw. r The beak straight, com- pressed., and hooked at the end. Tail round, ) (of fourteen quills.) \ Cormorants. Tail forked. . . . . ^ Friqatr Brans. Tail pointed . . . . y Boobies. Beak stiaiglit, slender, ajid pointed, }• Darters, &c. 20. The Pbuoans,— P*;icanKS,— (PZa l!.Ddmg in a point. '.^ANTiiE. — From the Greek aemi, \ which is from aed or a6, to agitate, i * and anihe, a flower. ' Aebon. — -From the Greek ttfdSn,a. songster, which is derived from aeidS, 1 sing. A term applied to many birds. AeIhai.. — From the Latin aerius: be- longing to the air. ^RUGiHosDs. — Latin. Rusty. iEsALON. — Latin. Name of a kind of Falcon. .^STivA. — Latin. Belonging or re- lating to summer. Alar ( %tent. )— From the Latin <*, a Vf^ig. Belonging or rela- ling to the wings. A term Used in speal iA coloured membrane in- vesting the base of the upper mandible : as in Hawks, and a few other birds. Certhia. — The systematic name of the Creepers Cervical — From the La,tin, cervix, the neck. Belonging or relating to the neck. Cbtacea. — In tatin, cetaceti^, which is formed trom the Greek, ketos, a whale. Naturalists use the word to designate piscifbrin mammals that have fins in place of feet, and inhabit the seai Charadrius. — Latin.' (A bird, the seeing of which, it was supposed, cured those thathad the jaundice.) The generic name of the Plover. CniETnEA, — Systematio name of the SwiiTs. Chyle. — From the Greek, chulos, nutritious juice. A nutritive fluid of a whitish appearance, which is extracted from food by the action ef the digestive organs. Chyliferous. — From the Latin, chy. lus, chyle, and/fro, I carry. Carry- ing or conveying chyle. CicoNi*. — Latin. A Stork. Ciliated (tongue) — When the tongue is edged with fine bristles, as in ducks. CiNCLOB. — From the Greek, Hgklos, name of a bird. Generic name of the Water-thrush. f Formed frQin the CiNERACEUG. I Latin, cineres, ashes. CiNERKA. i Belonging or relating CiNEREus, to ashes; ashy-; ash- t coloured. CiRCDS. — Latin. A gentle Falcon. The generic name of the Harriers. CiTRiNELLA. — Latin. Formed from citrus, a citron tree. The specific name of the Yellow Bunting. Clavicle. — From the Latin, clavis, a key. The collar-bone. I Jlkft. — A space made by the sepa- ealion of parts; a crack; a crevice. The line of separation betw'ixt the two inandibtes, shows to what dis- tance the beak is cleflfroni its point Cloaca. — From the Greek, kluzo, I wash. The pouch at the extremity of the intestinal canal, in which the solid and liquid excretions are commingled in birds, fishes, and reptiles. CoocoTflRAosTEs.— -From the Greek, kolckos^ a kernel, a grain, and tbraud, I break. The systematic name of the Grosbeaks. CcECA, or Cjeca. — Plural of Cffiqum. CcEcuM, or CjEcuM. — From the Latin, ctBcvs, blind. The blind gvt, so called from its being perforated at one end onjy, Ccelebs. — Latin, Unmarried, soli- tary, lonely. CoixHRio. — From the Greek, kolho, I join or fasten together. The specific name of the Butcher Bird. Coldbris. — The specific name of a , Humming Bird. CoLnMaA.— Latin., A Pigeon.. ^OLYMEDS. — From the Greek, kolum- bao, I dive. Systematic name of the Diver?. CouMissDKE. — From the Latin, com- mitto, I join together^ A point of union . between two paits. The point where the two mandibles are joined is called the commis- sure of the beak. Communis. — Latin. Common. Compressed (beak. )— Flattened at the sides vertioaljy. Concha. — The ho'low part of the car tilage of the external ear. Conirdstbteb.— From theLatiniCanns, a cone, and roslruniy a beak. Th« systematic name of a fiunily of passerine birds. CoEACOiD.— From the Greek, horax, a crnw, and eidos, leseuiUance. Resembling the beak of a crow. The qoraeoid bone ia. the posterior clavicle^ of birds. CoRAx. — Latin, A Ravpn. CoHNii.-^Latin. A horn. Cottvus. — Latin, A Crow, CoaMoroLiTE. — From the Greek, ktf- tttus, world, and politcs, citizen. A citizen of the world. Peculiar to no country. ORN ITHOLOG Y:— Gl .OSS AR"V. 115 CoTURKix. — Latin. A Quail, CooKSER. — A race'ho{se. Coverts. — The small feathers which lie in several rows on tlie bones of the wings are called the Lesser eoeerts ; those that line the undejp side of the wings, the Under coverts ; those feathers that lie im mediatelv over tl;c quill feathers, and tecondarie'S, are the Greater coverts; and the 7'aU coverts, are those feathers that cover the tail on the upper side, at the base. CRANinsi, — From the Greek, kranon, head. The skull. Crf.pitans. — Latin. Cackling, ring- ing, making a noise, rattling', chattering. Crepdscclak. — From the Latin, cre- - pusculum, twilight. Belonging or relating to twilight. Crex. — From ihe Greek, irex, a bird,' the Rail. %» Ceistatus. — Latin. Tufted, combed, crested ; vfearing a cresl. Crustacea. — From the Latin, crusla, a crust. A class of animals whose bodies are enclosed in a covering like the crab. Cdcollatus — Latin. Hooded,cowled. CoctrLos.-i'-Latin. CUckcoi Cul-de-sac. — French. A blind alley ; literally, a bag bottom. CoLTRATE. — From the Latin, culler, a knife.' Sharp and cutting on the edges. CuLTRiROSTRES. — From the Latin, culler, (in the genitive, cuUri,) a knife, and rostrum, beak. Syste- matic name of a family of-Gral- latorise, characterised by a beak with sharp edges, CuNEATE. — From the Latin, cuneus, a wedge ; wedge-shaped, <7dneifoem. — From the Latin, cunevs, a wedge, &n& forma, form. In the form of a wedge; wedge-shaped. CoFiDO. — Latin. Desire, appetite, , gluttony. CuRRHCA. — Latin. A Tom-tit, a Hedge-sparrow, CoRVATB. — Bowed, bent, 10.* CuEviRosTRA. — From the Latin, car- vus, bent, bowed ; and rostrum, beak. Having the beak bent or bowed. Cygnus. — Latin. A Swan. Cypsei.ds Latin. A Martin or Swallow. Dentate^ — Prom the Latin, Jens, a tooth. Toothed or notched. Dentirostres — From the Latin devs, a tooth, (in Jthe genitive, devtis,) and rostrum, beak. Systematic name of a family of passerine birds. Depressor. — Muscles, whose fune. tion is to d'epress certain parts are so called. Depressed (beaki) — Flattened hari- zontally > DiAPiiRAGM.^-From the Greek, dia- phragma, a partition. The fleshy or muscular partition, between the cavity of the chest and cavity of the abdomen. DioMEDEA. — The ancient name of certain birds of the island of Diomedcs, near Tarentnm, which weie said to. receive the Greeks favourably, and to attack the bar- barians. The systematic name oi the Albatross. Disposition. — From the Latin, dis- pono, I place or set in order. Ar- rangement or placing of parts. Diurnal. — From the Latin, dies, day. Belonging or relating to the day. DiORN.«. — Systematic name of a division of the birds of prey. DoLiCHONVx.^-From the Greek, doli- ehos, lung, and onvx,a nail, a claw, Generic name of the Rice Bird. DoMESTicA. — Latin. Domestic. Duct (Thoracic.) — The canal nr duct which conveys the chyle into the blood. Echelette. — French. A little ladder. Systematic name of the Creepers Emberiza. — Generic name of the Buntings. Erectile. — From the Latin, erifi-ere, to become erect. Susceptible uf erection. 116 ORNITHOLOGY:— GLOSSARY. Erythacus. — From the Greek, erith- . akost an unknown bird that was tauglit to imitate words.. The spe- cific name of the Gray Parrot Erythkooephalus. — From the Greek^ i eruthras, red, and kephalf, head — Red-head. The Bystemajtic name of the Woodpecker. EsouLKNTA — Latin. Esculent, ediible. Ebrop(eus. — Latin. European. ExcuBiToR — Latin. One that watches by night. A sentinel. E2TENSILK. — Froiti the Latin extendo, I stretch. Susceptible of being ex- tended or lengthened. Extensor. — ^Muscles whose function is to extend certain paits arc so . called. Extremities. — From the Latin, ex- . tremus, exirenie ; the end of a thing. The limbs ; the legs and arms; in birds, the legs and wings. Falco. — Latin. (Formed from/alx, in the genitive /a/cis,) a hook, a bill, a scythe. The Falcon, so called from the shape of ils beak. Falconhy. — The art of hunting with birds of prey. Fahiliaris. — Latin. Familiar. Be- longirig or relating to a family. Domestic. Femub. — Latin. The thigh bone. FERRUGiNEUs.^Latin. Ferruginous. Of the colour of rusty iron. Feeeuginods. — From the Latin, fer- Tvgo, rust of iron. Of the colour of iron rust. FisBinosTRES. — From the Lalin, j^g. sura, a slit, a fissure, which is formed from fendere, to cleave, to divide, and rostrum, a beak. (Fissure beaks.) Systematic name of a family of passerine birds. . Fo?sA.-7-In the plural, Fosseb. From the Liitin,/o(i!0, 1 dig. A cavity of j greater or less depth, the entrance ,' to which is always larger than the base, I'he nasal fossie are two laige cavities, situate between the orbits belo^ the cranium, and lined by the pituitary, or sclmeidetian membrane, the inlerniT nostrils. FouRcmsTTE. — French. A fork. The notch formed^by xhef coracoid bones and sternum,"between the wings, Fringilla — Latin, A Chaffinch. The systematic name of the Finches, FR0NT.-.-The forehead. FuLicA. — Latin. A Coot. FoLvus. — Latin. Of a deep yellow, or fawn colour. Function. — From the Latin, furifsor, I act, or discharge an office. The action of an organ or system of organs. FuscnSi — Latin. Brown. Galcula. — Latin. Name of a bird. Gallinaceji:. — Formed from the Latin, gallina, a hen. The sys- tematic name of an order of birds. Galunackoos.— Belonging or relat- ing 10, or partaking of the nature of the Gallinacrse. Gallinaoo.— Specific name of the •MiSnipe. Galunvla. — Systematic name of the Water-hens. Gallinaza. — Spanish. A Turkey- buzzard. Gallhsi.— Latin, A Coek. Garrulos. — Latin. Chattering. Gends, — Ijatin. A kindred, breed, race, stock, lineage, or family. Genera. — Plural of genus. Generic. — Belonging or relating to genus. Gerfalcon.— From the Latin, g^™?, a circuit, and falco, a falcon. The falcon that ffiea in a circle. A kind of falcon. GiBBOUs.-T-From the Latin, gibhus, a bunch or swelling. Bulging or bunclung out. Gizzard. — The- strong muscular stomach of a bird, Gi^AoiALig. — Latin. Glacial. Rela- ting to ice. Gland. — A word applied to desig- nate those softisli, granular, loba- tcd organs, composed of vessels, nerves, and a particular structure, which form peculiar secretions. Glandaeius.— Latiji. Belonging or relating to acorns. ORNITnOLOGY:— GLOSSARY. 117 GLANDULOscs.-Lsktin. Full of glands. The bulbus glan4ulostis, is the second slomach of birds. Glottis. — A small oblong aperture, situate at the upper part uf the larynr. Gballatori^. — From the Latin, grallator, he that walks on stilts ; a stalker. The systematic name of Wading birds. GRANivonons. — From the Lat\n,gra- num, a grain, (of any kind of corn) and vorare, to eat. Grain-eating. Gkanqle. — A very small grain. Gkegahiods. — From ihe Lalin, gre- gariut, of a flouk^ wtiieh is formed from grea;,(in the genitive, grfg-ts) a flock or herd. Going in flocks or herds. Griffin. — From the Lalin,grypAHS, which is formed from the Greek, grvpos, curved, hooked.. (A fabu- lous monster, lialf lion, half bir^.) The sy sternal ic name »i' a tribe of birds of prey. Grus. — Latin. A Crane. Gbyfhus. — Latin. A Griffin. Gyfaietos. — From the Greek, gw^te- tos, a kind of eagle ; formed from (t^ips, a Vuliote, and aietoe, an Eagle. GYPOGERANn&^Frora the Greek, gi;p», a Vulture, and geranos, a bird, ( a Crane.) Generic name of the Sec- retary. H^ffiMAToPus. — From the Greek,ainia- topot, having' a fierce or sangumary look ; fbriTicd front aiina, blood, and opjj an eye. The generic name of the Oyster catchers. HalijEtus. — From the Greek, aU, the sea, afid aietog, an eagle. The specific name of the Fisher Eagle. Habpyia — Latin. A harpy. (Formed from the Greek, arpax, rapacious.) Hei.iaca. — Speciflc name of a sort of f-Iagle. Herbivoiious. — From the Latin her- ba, herb or plant, and vorare, to eat. Herb-ealing. Animals that feed chiefly, or entirely on herbs, or plants, are herbivorous, HiEROFALCo. — Latin. Gerfalcuu, HiRUNDo.-.JLatin. A Swallow. HoRTULANA. — Specific name of a Bunting. HoMEBiUs. — The bone of the arm, which is situate between the shoul- der joint and the elhi>w. HvEMALis, — Latin. Belonging or relating to winter. HvoiD. — From the Greek, «, and eidos, resemblance. Rcsemliling the tibape or form of the letter U. The Os kyoides, the hyoij bone, is a very moveable bony arch, placed horizontallv, in the i'ubstance of the soft parts of the neck, at the root of the tongue. It docs not articu- late with any other hone of the skeleton, and is only connect d to it through the niediun> of muscles and ligaments. Ieterus. — Latin. (Name of a yeUow bird, which, if one see, being sick of the yellow jaundice, the person recovers, and the bird dies.) Sys- ti niatic name of the Oriole. IuAcns.-^Sysleniatic name of a kind of Thrush, Impennts. — Latig, (formed from pen- Titf, a- wing.) Systematic name of the Penguins which have very shoi t wing¥. IiirERiALis. — Latin. Imperial, royal. Incubation. — From the Latin, incv- batio. The act of the female of oviparous animals, in silting and remaining on her eggs for the pur- pose of hatching them. Indigenods. — From the Latin, inde, where, and grnitvs, born. Applied to the natives of a country ; atsn, to animals that inhabit the c. nnlry where they are hoin. iNGLoviEs.-Latin. The cropof a bird. Insectivorous. — From the Latin, in- secta, insecis, and vorare, to eat Insect-eating. Animals that feed ■■on insects are insectivirous. Invebtebrate. — Without vertebrce. Ibis. — That part of the eye in which the pupihis situate. Irides Plural of Iris. IsLANDicus — Latin. Belonging or relating to Iceland. 118 ORNITHOLOGY:— glossary- Isolate. — (From the ItSlian, isula^ an island ; because one who is isolated^ le-senibles an island en- tirely surrounded by water.) Sepa- Talod, alone, single. IspinA. — Systematic name of a King- fisher. JoTA. — Speci6o name of a Vulture. JuGui.AR. — From the h^in^ jugulu7n, the throat. Belonging or relating to the throat. KiNGLET^A little king. A name of the Wren. LiEMER-GEVER. — German. Lamb-vul- ture. Lagopcs. — Latin. Ptarmigan. Lamella — Latin. A liitlfe thin plate or pkce. Lamellae. — Latin. Plural of Lamella. Lameliiirostbes. — From the Lilin, lamella, a thin pla^e, and rostrum, beak. Svstematic name of a family of birds. Laiuina. — Latin. A plaje, or thin piece of metal -or bone. LAMiNiE. — Latin. Plural of Lamina. Lanius. — Generic name of Shrikes. Larva. — Latin. A mask. An insect after it has led the egg, and before it assumes the form of a phrysalis, is called a larva, because in this state it is, as it were, masked. LarvjE. — L:itin. Plural of Larva. Larus. — Latin. A Sea-mew or Gull. Larvnx. — From the Greek, Zarng-x, a whislle, ~Tlie apparatus of voice. It is situate at the superior and an- terior part of the neck; and at the top of the trachea, with which it communicates. Leiicocephalus. — From the Greek, leukos, white, and kephale, head. White-headed. SpeQific name of the Bald Eaele. LiTuoFALCo. — From the Greek, lithos, a stone, and the Latin, /u2co, a fal- con. Specific name of the Merlin. Lobate (fool) — Toes furnished on the frides with broad plain membranes. Longipennes. — From the Latin, Ian- gvs, long, and pcnva, a wing. Long-wingod. Syslematio name of a family of web-footed birds. LoNBiRosTREs. — From the Latin, longus, long, and rostrum, bt'ak. Long-beaked, '"Systematic name of a family of Waders. Loon. — The name of a bird, from loom, which in the language of the Laplanders, signifies lame, as it cannot walk well. Lore. — A naked line leading from the beak to the ey«. LoxiA. — From the Greek, loxos, ob- lique. Systematic name of the Grosbeaks, LijsoiNiA.— Latin. A Nightingale, Macrodactyei — From the -Greek, makros, long, and daktulos, a 6nger (toe.) Long.fingercd. Systematic name of a tribe of Wading birds. M.*:nura, or M.<£;[7RA. — Generic name of the Lyres. Probably a corruption from the Greek, pandoura, a musi- cal instrument resembling a lute. MAiioR. — Latin. Greater, Jarger. Mammau— Any animal having^rats <* for suckling its young, is called a mam mat" Mandibles. — From the Latin, man- dare, to chew. The jaws of birds, MARsupmM, — Latin, A pouch, u s^c. Mastication. — From the Greek, ?»as- tichad, I chew. The iict pf chew- ing food to impregnate it with sali- va, and prepare it for the digestion it has to undergo in the stomach, Melanaetos. — F om the Greek, met- anos, black, and aetos, an eagle. A specific name of the Common Eagle. Meleagris, — Latin. A Turkey, ' Membrana. — Latin. A meinbrane. Membrane; — A name given to dif- ferent thin organs, representing species of- supple, more or less elastic, webs. Membranous. — Belonging to mem- brane. Merous. — From the Latin, mergo, I put under water. Generic name of the Mergansers. Merops. — Latin. A bird that eats bees. Generic name of the Bee- eaters. M£RCLA.~Latin. A Black bird. ORNITHOLOGY:— GLOSSARY. 119 Metacarpus — From the Greek, meta, aflcr, and karpos, the wtist. Th!it part of the hand which ia between the wrist and fingers.' Metatarsus — From the Greek, meta, after, and torsos, the instep. That part of the fool which is between the instep and toes. Migration. — The act of going from one country to dwell in another. Migratory. — Having the habit of go- ing from one country to sojourn in another, during a season. Miliaria. — Latici. A bird that feeds upon millet. Specific name of the common Banting, Milvos. — I^atin. A Kite. Minqr.^ — Latin^ Less, smaller. MoLussiMA. — Latin. Softest. MoLLDscA. — From the Latin, mollis, soft. A class of marine animals without vertebrse, which have blood vessels, a spinal marrow, and a sim- ple body, without articulated limbl. MoLLDscoDS.-BeIonging to Mollusca. MoNBDULA. — Latin. A Jackdaw. MoMoGAMous. — From the Greek, monos, one, and gamos, marriage. Those animals, the male and female of which.are paired for life, are said to be monogamous. MoNOGAMT. — From the Greek, monos, one, single ; and gamos, marriage. The state or condition of being married only to one person. MoTACiLLA. — Latin. A Wag-tail, Mouette.— French. A Sea-raew, a Gull. Moult'. — To change the feathers. Moulting. — Changing of the plu- mage, which occurs naturally and periodically. M usciCAPA. — From the Latin, musca, afly.andca^OjIseize. Fly-catcher. Musicus. — Latin. Belonging" or re- lating to music. Mustaches. — From the Greek, mus- tax, the upper lip ; the beard on tlie upper lip. The beard that is permitted to grow long on the upper lip. The hairs which many animals have growing about the mouth. Myothera. — From the Greek, mus, a mouse, and therao, I hunt, I catch. The systematic name of the Ant -Catchers, (The word would be better, myrmolhera, from murmex, an ant, and therao.) Narbs. — Latin, The nostrils. Natation. — From the Latin, natatio, swimmings The act of swimming, or supporting one's self, or moving upon the water. Nectar, — From the Greek, nektar, which is formed from ne, a nega- tive, ^nd Had, I kill, because nec- tar imparted immortality. The drink of the heathen gods, Acer- tain product of flowers, which is found in the cotolla,but which does not belong to it, NiGTiTANS. — Latin. Winking, The membrana niclitans, is a sort or internal eyelid, found in many mammals, and in all birds. NiDiFioA'BoN — From the Latin ntdas, a nest, and facere, to make. The act of building a nest, Nisus. — Latin. A Sparrowjiawk. NocTUA. — Latin. An Owl. Nocturne Systematic name of nocturnal birds of prey. Nostrils, (Linear) — When they are ' extended lengthwise in a line with the beak, as in Divers, &c. Nostbils, (Pervious) — When they are open, and may be seen through from side to side, as in Gulfs, &c. Nov^ HoLLANDiiE, — Latin. Of New Holland. NuMiDA, (Numidica. ) — Latin. A Guinea fowl. NuM^NiDS, — ^From the Greek, neos, new, and mene, moon, on account of their crescent shaped beak. Generic namt of the Curlews. (Esophagus — From the Greek, oiso, I carry, and phagein, to eat The gullet. The membranous canal, which conveys food from the mouth to the stomach. I^U OillN ITHOLUU y :— UL.USIS AK y . lEsTiins. — Fiom. the Gnek, oistros, strong desire, incitLm'^nt ; a gad- fly. Systematic name of a fajiiily of insects. OiiNivoROiis. — From the Latin, omnjs, all, and vorare to cut. Applied to animals that eat all kinds of food, both animal and vegetable. Onocrotalus. — From the Greek onos, an ass, and Itrotos, noise. Syste- matic name of the Pelican. Operculum. — Latin. Formed from operire, to cover. The small door or covei which closes the, entrance to a Khell. A bony, moveable plate which, in a great marty fishes, uovei^the ears or .branchiee. Organization. — ^The mode, or man- ner of structure of an organized being. Oriolus. — From tlie Latin, iiureolus, of the colour of go'd. Systematic name of the Orioles. Ornithology — From theGreek ornis, in the genitive Case, oAt'Mos, a bird* and logos, a discourse. The natural ' history of birds. Orphea — Sjiecific name of a Fauvetle. Ortyx. — From the Greek, orliix, a quail. Systematic name of a' kind of Partridge. C Latin. Formed from Oryzivoea. the Greek, oruza, rice, . and the Latin, vorare, Oryzivorus. to eat. Specific names of certain Buntings. Os. — Latin. A bone. OssiFRAGA. — Latin. Formed from OMO, bones-, aadfrangere, to break. Name of, a kind of Vulture. OssirnnGnsv^Latin. Specific name of an eagle. OsTRALKGDS. — Latin. Specific name of an byster-Catchcr. Otis. — Latin. From the Greek, fi«is, a Bustard. Generic na.me of the Tiustards. Otus.— From the Gretk, olos, an Owl ; formed from ous, (in the genitiv«, otos,) an ear. Generic name of a kind o'" Of/\. OvAKV. — Fi-om the Latin, ovum, an egg. The ovaries are the organs in which the eggs are formed in - oviparous -animals. Oviduct, — The duct or canal which leads from the ovaries to the cloaca. Oviparous: — Sram the Latin, ovum, an tg'g, and parere, to bring foitli. Animals that multiply by means of eggs, are'ovjparous. Palati. — ^Latiu. Of the pilate. Palmar. — From the Latin, palma, the palm of. the hand. Belongjng or relating to the palm. Also applied to the feet of "web-footed birds. Palmate.— Having a membrane be- twixt the toes, giving the fool a remote resemblance to the palm. Palmipedes. — From tlieLaiin,'pffimff, palm, and pes, ( in the genitive, pedis,) a foot. Systematic name of web-fooled birds, PANcREAS.-^From the Greek, pon, all, and kreas, flesh, that is, quitefieshy, A gland deeply sealed in %e ab- 'i domen, which resembles the sali' vary glands in its .struclnre, and has been called iheahdomirtat sati- vary gland. Parcreatio. — Belonging to the Pan. creas. Pandion. — Generic name of the Os- preys. ^ Papa. — Specific name of a Vtilturej Papilla, — Latin. A nipple. A name given to small eminences, which appear to be formed by the ulti- mate expansion of the vessels and nerves. PAPrLL-ffi. — Plural ot Papilla, Papillated. — Covered with f apillee. Pakadis-ga. — Generic name of the Birds of Faiadise, Parus. — Generic name of the Tits, PasserinjE^ — From the Latin, pisser, a Sparrow. The systematic name of migratory bird's. Passerine (Birds) — Birds of passage. Patagdnioa. — Latin. Belonging or relating to Patagonia. Pavo. — Latin.- A Peacock. Pecten — Latin. A comb. The name given to a folded menibiane, situ- ate in the back part of the eye in ORNITHOLOGY:— GLOSSARY. 121 birds, destined to regulate the focal distance between the cryslalline lens and the sentient surface of the retina. P«eTi«ATE (foot.) — From the Latin, pecien, a comb. ■Toes fringed like the teeth of » comb. (See, Plate 7, fig. 2.) Pkot«r»l. — From the Latin, pectus, (in the genitive, pec(oris);the-chBst, the breast. Belonging, or relating to the chest. , ■ Pelaqica. — Latin. Belonging or re- lating to the sea. ' Pklicanos.— r-Latln. A Pelican. Pelvis. — Latin. A basin. The name of the bony fracture at the lower part ot the trunk, which forms the inferioj boundary of the abdomen, gives support or place of foundation to the spinal colamn, and affords points of articulation for the thigh bones, constituting the hip joint. Peninsula. — From the Latin, pene, almost, and insu'a, an island. Land almost surrounded by water, and connected to a continent by a neck of land. Pendltimate. — From the Latin, }i«ne, almost, and ultimuSjihe last. That which is immediately next to the last. Peronopteri. — The plur^ of Perc- nopterus. Pekcnopteiujs. — From the Greek, •perjivos, spotted, and pLeron, wing. Systematic name of certain Vul- tures. Perms. — From the Greek, ^crnes, a certain bird of Prey. The generic name of the Honey-Buzzards. Petrel.— rThe diminutive of Peter. The name of a web-footed bird, that seems to walk on the water. Petrous From the Greek, petra, a rock, a stone. A part of the tem- poral bone, which contains the internal organs of hearing, is so called, from resembling a stone in hardness. Photon. — From theGrreek, phaeth&n, brilliant. Generic name 6{ the Tropic bird. Phalacrocorax From the Greek, pkal/ikros, bald, and korax, a Raven, The systematic name of the Cor- morants, which latter name is a corruption of the French words, corbeau mar in. Sea-crow. Phalanges. — The plural, of Phalanx. PhaXanx. — From theGreek,_pAa/ag-a, a file of soldiers. The bones com- posing the fingers and toes. They are named, first, second, and third phalanges. Phalaropus. — From the Greek, pka- laris, a Coot, and povs, foot. Having the lobed feet of the Coots. Systematic name of the Phalaropes, PHALEN.«;^-From the Gr^ek phalaina, a moth,. (of the kind that flutter about lamps.) Systematic name' of a family of insects. Phasianus. — From the Greek, pAo«t- anos, a Pheasant, so called from the river ^asis, in Colchis, near the BlaolttSea. The systematic name of the Pheasants. Ph(enicopterus. — From the Greek, phoinix,. red, and pteron, wing. Red-winged. . The generic name of the Flamingo. Pica Latin. A. Magpie. PiOBS.— Jliatin. A Woodpecker. PicTBS. — Latin. Painted, speckled, spotted. Pilaris. — Latin. . Belonging to any- thing round. The specific name ., of a Thrush. Pinion. — The joint of thewing re- motest from the body. Pinnate (foot,) — Having the edges of the toes scalloped or notched, as in the Coots. PiNTADe.-r-Spanish. Mottled. Gen- eric name of the Guinea fowl. Piscivorous. — From the Latin, piscit, a fish, and vorare, to eat. Fish- eating. Applied to animals that feed on fish. . Platalea. — Latin. (Formed from the Greek, platua, flat.) The Generic name of the Spoonbills. Plotus. — From the Greek, pluo, 1 swim. The generic name uf the Darters. 1S3 ORNITHOLOGY :— GLOSS ARV . Plover. — From the Latin, pUtviu, rain. A bird bo called, from mahtng its appearance in the rainy season. Plumabe. — From the Latin, phuna, a soft feather. The feathery coat of a bird. ' PLDMEi'— Feather of a bird. PoDioEps. — The Generic name ftf the Grebes. PoLYOAMODs — From the Greek, polus, many, and gamoe, marriage. When animals do not live in pairs, baton thecantmry, an individaal is united to several of the opposite sex, they are said to be polygamous. PoLYOLoTTHs. — From Wre Greek, polus, many, and glSssn, ton'gtie. Many-tongued. Specifie name of the Mbckinj: bird. Pratensis. — Latin. Belonging or relating to a meadow. Prehensile. — Endowed With the power of seizing hold of. Applied to certain parts. -^ Prehension. — From the Latin, pte- hendere-, to lay hold of. The pre- hension of aliments consists in lay- ing hoW of, and conveying food into the mouth. > Pkessirostres. — From the Latin, premii, pressed, and rostrum, beak. Systematic name of a family of Grallatotias. Prb:y. — Food gotten by violence. Pbimaribs, (Primary quills.^ — The largest feathers of the wings. PjtocEUiARiA From the Latin, pro- eella, a great tempest at sea. ^s- tematic name of the Petrels. Probnostic. — From the Greek, pro, before, and ginoshS, I fcnciw, I judge. A conjecture or xipiniion of what is yet to 'happen. PROJKCTlLE.^-From the Laflin, pro- jicere, to thfow in advance, or to a distances Any heavy body thrown into the air, and abandoned to the adtioh of its own weight. That which IS capable of being cast or thrown forward. Having the power of BBdden extension. Pbotraotile. — Capable of being drawn out, or extended. Proventricclds. — From the Latin, pro, before, And ventriculus, a little etomacb. The second stomach of birds. PsiTTAcDS. — From the Greek, psitta- kos, a Parrot. Sysleniatio name of Parrots. PsoPHiA. — From the Greek, p^ophia, I make a noise. Systematic name of the Trumpeters. PoLvfcRATOR. — From the Latin, pul- serare, to cover witli dust. Ap- plied to those birds that waUow in the dust PYGABOOT.^Ftom the Greek, puge, behind, and argOs, white. A bird Cf prey with a white tail. Pylords.— Prom the Greek, pule, a gate, and mros^, a, guardian. The lower, or right orifice of the Stomach. PYRGiTA.--€f6iieticnameofthe Spar- rows. Pvrrhuea. — Generic name of the Bullnncbes. QuiscALDs. — Generic name of the filaekbirds. Radius. — Latin. A spoke — sp called ^rom its shape — one of the bones of the fore-arm. Rallijs.^— Generic name of the Rails. Rampbastos. — From the Greek, ram- pKos, b beak. Generic name of the Toucans, Rapaces. — From the Latin, lapax, ravenous, devouring. Systematic name of the order of birds of pfey, Retrices, — From the Latin, rettrix, " a governess. The long feathers or the tail which serve to steer the bird. Recurvirostba. — From the I»atrn, recurvo, I bend back, and rostrum, i beak. Systematic name of birds whosfe beaks are curved upwards. Resimejj — Diet. REGOLDs.^Ijatin. Diminutive of rear, a king. A Wren, REGWttGiTATE.^The tctum of food to tlie mouth after it has been once swallowed. -^ Relicjiosa;— Latin. Religious. Remiges.— The strong ftathew of the wings. ORNITHOLOGY:— GLOSSARY. 193' RETicfJLATED. — fa the foi-rti of the ; meshes of a net ; made of net : work. Retbactifj:. — Having the quslily of being drawn back. RiasA. — Spefcifio name of an Ostrich. Rhtnchops. — From' the Greek, rug- ehos, beak, a' snout. The Syste- matic name of the skiainSet^. RoDENTiA. — From the tatin, rodere. to gdaw. The systematic name of an order of mammals. RoiTELET. — French. Diminutive of rot, a king. A Wren. Rdbek. — Latin. Red. RoBicoLA, — Specific name of the- Stonechaf.' RtiFDs. — Latin. Reddish yellow. RupiGOLA. — From the Latilii rupes, (in the genilive, rapii,) a fock, odd' ctlere, to inhabit. Greneric' name of Cocks of the Rock. Rdstica. — ^Latin. Rustic;- belong- ing to the cottutry. RosTicoLA Specific name of the Woodcock; Sarooramphus, — From the Grefek, aUrx, (in the geaitiTe, »«rtosi)' flesh, and ram])Ae, kiiife': cutting fiesh like a knife. Generic name' of a kind of Vulture. Saxicola. — From' th6 Ijatin,- gaxiis, a reck, and ctlere, to inhabit>' Sys- tematic name of a gfenus of Warb- lers. SCANSoRi^.;— Foriiied'from the Latin, scando, I climb. Systematic name of the order of climbing' birds. Scapula. — ^The shoulder blade. ScAFoiiARS (Scapal!lries)r^The'feath- ers that^ take their risd from the shoulders, and cover this sides of the' back. SooLoPAX. — -Trom the Greek, skoto- pax, a Snipe. Generic name of tlie Snipe. Strops.— From the Greek, sippg-, an r O wL The systematic name of an Owl. SoDTELLATtiD (le^i) — Formed from this Latini, scutum, a shield. Having the tarsi covered with scaly plates.' 11 Secondaries. — Those quills that rise from the second bones of the wing. Skdentary. — Not migratory. SEKPKNTARins. — Latin, belonging or relating to serpents. Sfjecific name of the Secretary or Serpent bird. Serrated. — Frbm-liie Latin, serra, a saw. Notched or toothed like a saw. SlTTA. — From the Greek, sittS, I cry. Generic name of the Nuthatches. SoMATERiA. — Systematic name of the Eider. Sternaj— Systematic' name bf the Terns or Sea Swallows. STiR;i«uiii. — Thfe" bteast bonei Strix. — Latin. AiiOwl. Strdthio. — Froni the Greek, gtrou- tMon, an Ostrich, name of the Ostric]). Stornos. — ^Latin. A Starling. Styloid. — From the Greek, stulos, a style, a peg, a pin, and eidoBfTe- ' semblance, shape. Shaped like a peglbr pin. SuAbcteo. — From tKe Latin, sub, un- der, next, after, and buteo, a kind of Hawk. Specific name of a Falcon. SuBMAxltLLAifT — Frtim the Latin,'ra6, under, and maxilla, jaw^ That which is beneath the jaw. Sola. — From the Greek,-jiu&i, plun- der, bcotyi Generic name of the Boobies. SrLviA.^Generic name of certain Warblers. Synbactyl/E. — From the Greek, sun, together, and daktuhs, toe. Hav- ing the toes joined. Systematic name of a family of passerine birds. Syrnidm. — From the Greek, suYnion, an owl. Systematic name of the ( Hooting Owls. TAOHVpETES.-Fromthe Greek, tachits swift, and peiomai, to fly Syste matic name of the Frigate<*bird. Talon. — The claw of a bii^d of prey. Tanaqra. — Systematic name of the Tanagers. Tarda.: — Latin. Slow, tardy. Tarsl — Plural of tarsal. 134 ORNITHOLOQY:— GLOSSARY. Tarsus. — From the Greek, torsos, any row, the sple of the foot. The posterior part, of the foot, which, in man, consists of seven bones, and forms the heel and inslep. Teotijorm. — From the Latin tectum; , roof of a houses Shd forma, form. Roof-shaped. , Tegumestary. — From the Latin; teg- umen, a covering^. Belonginfij or relating to the tegument or sltin. Tenuirostres. — From the Latin, ten- vis, slender, and rostrum., beak. Systematic itkme of a family of passerine birds, TuTRAo.^Lfttin. A Bustard. Sys. tematic name of Grouse, TiTRAX. — Greek. Systematic name of the Bustard. THORAk.— From iHe Greek, thorax, the chest. It is bounded posteriorly by the vertebrte ; laterally, by the ribs and scapula; anteriorly, hy^ the sternum; above, by the claviclef and below by the diaphragrti: It is destined to Irtlgeand protect the chief organs of respiration and cir- culation: — the lungs and heart. Thoracic. — Belonging to the thorax. Tibia. — Latin; A flute. The largest J)one of the leg is so called. TlOHOOROMA, — Systematic name of certain Oceepers, . ToRDA. — Specific name of a kind of Auk, ToiiaaiM.*. — From the Latin torqueo, 1 writhe, 1 twist. Systematic name of the Wryneck. ToTiPALMAT^ — From the Latin totitB, the whole, and palma, the palm.- Systematic nan^e of a family of web-footed birds. Tjiaciiea.— From the Gxeak,trachus, rough, aadarJeriff, an Brtery,which is formed from aer, air, nnitertin, to keep, The canal which conveys the air to the lungs. The windpipe. Trenchant.— Cutting, TRipTis,— Latin. Sad, sorrowful. TKOCHH.D8.— Systematic name of the Humming-birds. Tnoqi-oDyTEs.— From the Greek, tro- ^Je, a cavern or hole, and du6, I .enter. Systematic name of the Wrens. Trunk. — The body without including the head or extremities. The pro* boscis of an Elephant. Trewoated. — ^^Cut short. Cut abrupt- ly, or»squ are, oflT. : Tubercle. — From the Latin, tuber,, a knot;,a small knot or projection. TuRDDS. — Latin. A Thrush. Tybannos. — Latin. A tyrant. Ulna. -:-The bone of the fore-acm, which forms the prominence of the elbow, during the flexion of that joint. — Ulnar.^ — Relating to the uln»«, i Ulula. — Latin An Owl. Umbellus. — Latin, Specific name of the ruffed Grouse. *, Upopa. — Latin. A Hoopoo. TJbbioa. — Latin, Belonging or X-eXa-^ ting to a city. Ureter. — The lube or canal, which passes from the kidney to the blad- der. U'ria.— Generic name of the Guille- mots. ^ Urogallus. — Specific nape of the great Heath Cock. Valesneria. — Generic name of an aquatic plant, Channel Weed, upon which the Canvass back ducka-. feed, and to ■ which the peculiar and delicious flavour of their flesh, is said to be attributable. The spe. cifio name of the Canvass back, duck. Vanellus. — ^Generic name of the Lapwing. Velum. — ^Latin. A veil. Ventricle. — The second stomach of a bird is so called, Versicolor. — Latin. Changing col- our; of various colotirs. Vertebra. — From the Latin, iieriere, to turn. This namehas been giv^n to each of 'he bones, Which, by their union, form the vertebral or spinal column, vulgarly called the back bone. VEiiTEBRiE.— The pj^ral of vertebra Vertebral. — Belongir^ or relating * to VertebrsB. ORNITHOLOGY:— GLOSSARY. 135 Vertebrata.— ^Animals, that possess vertebrae. The first branch of the Animal kingdom. ~ Vertkbrate, — Hitving vertebrsB.' Vestibole — From the Latin, vesti- bulutn, vestibule. A room at the entrance of an edifice, which only serves as a passage to other apart- ments. The first part of the second cavity of the ear is so called, ViBRissiE. — Hairs that stand forward like feelers; in some birds they" are slender, as in Fly-catchers, &c. and point botWupwards and down- wards, from both the upper and under sides of the nioath< , ViKGiNiANA. ( Latin. Belonging ViRGiNiANUs. ^ to Virginia. Viscera. — The plural of viscns. Viscps. — Any bowel or entrail, or in- ternal part, as the heart, liv^r lungs, pancreas, &c> Viscvvonus. — Systematic name of a Thrush. VociFEEus.-Latin. Vociferous, noisy, crowing. Vdltijr.- — Latin. A Vulture. VuLTiiRiNus.— Latin. Belonging or relating to a J^ulture. Wattle. — The loose, red flesh that hangs below a Cock's bill. YuNX. — From the Greek, xunx, the Wryneck. Generic name of the Wrynecks. , Zoological, — ^Belonging or relating to Zoology, ZooLOtsY. — From the Greek, zoojr,an animal, and Zng^os, a discourse. That part of natural history which treats. of animals, ZvGoDACTYLiE.' — Froffl the Greek, nugof, a balance, aild daktulos, a itoe. SystematioTiame of the order of Climbers. FINIS, EXPLANATION OF PLATE 1. fHg, 1., Skeleton of a bird seen -lij profile— ^s, superjio/ pr upper man' dil4e-r-,?»i, Io;^er mandible-^n, the nasal iq$SEe-r-<,,the ty^pa,njip .bone— ror, Ihe orbit — »c, cervical vertebrse— .»rf, dorsal vertebcse — q, vertebrae of the tail — c, the ribs — ac, custal appendices — s, sternum — om, the scapula — c2, the clavicle — h, the humerus — re, the radius and cubitus or ulna— p, the thumb d, the median finger— ^i2, rudiment of the thumb — >, the iliac bones, vrhich form the pelvis—/, the femur — . Fig. 5. Foot' of the King-iieher, ehowin? the situation and connection of the toes. Fig. 6. A spurred leg, as in the genus Fhasianus. Fig. 7. A leg bare above the knee, as in all the Waders. Fig. 8. A semi-palmated foot, as in the genus Ardea. Fig. 9. A pinnated foot, with the edges of the toes scallomed', as in the genera Ftilica, Phalaropns. Fig. 10. A lobated foot, the toes margined by membranous edgings, as m the genus Podioeps. Fig. 11. A three-tqed webbed foot as in the genus Aloa, Uria. ' Fig. 12. A palmatcd foot, as in the genera Anas, Eeourvirostra. Fig. 13, A palmated ibot, with four toes cpnnect'ed, as in the genuo Pelicanus. 5%. 14, The Goldflnch ; a, beak or bill, — h, the fronl^c, the tiheek,; — d, the hind-head, or occiput, — e, the breast,—/, the back, — g, spurious wing, —h^ shoulder, and lesser wing, coverts, — «, secondary quill feathers, — •_;,_;, ■greater quill feathers, — ft, tetti^e, — I, tail coverts, — m, tail, — it, great wing coverts, — o, auricles or auditory conoh,-^/), the throat. Fig. 15. A spur. Fig. 16. A pectinated foot, as in the genus Tetrao. Plate 7. 13* Anatomy. — Feet. EXPLANATION OF PLATE 8. Fig- 1. A hooked bill as in the genus Falco. Cere, -a bare soft skin it the base of the bill, Fig. 15. iFig, S. A serrated or notched bill, as in the genus fiamphastos. . Fig. 3. A cultrated bill, as in the genus Cbrvus, Reflected vibrissce. Fig. 16. Fig. 4. A cun^ated or wedge-shaped bill, as in the genus Ficus. A cylin- drical or extensile tongue, Fig^l7> Fig. S. A curvated bill. An erectedcrest. Fig 18. Fig. 6. Nostrils covered by, or contained in a tube, as in "the genus Frocellaria. * Fig. 7. A straight, compressed; cultrated bill. Lore, a bare skin surround- ing the eyes, Fig. 30. Pr^eoting edge of the upper me^dible, by means of which the birds, whose beaks are thus constructed, cut their food as with scissors. Fig. 34. Fig. 8. A hooked notched bill, as in the genus Lanius, (Shrike,) the notch. Fig. 31. Fig. 9. A recurved bill, as in the genus, Recurvirostra. Fig. 10. A grooved bill, as in the genus Alca. i^ig-. 11. 'A spoon-shaped bill, as in. the genus Platalea. Nail at the ti^ of the bill. Fig. 33. Fig, 13. A compressed bill, as in Geese. Fig. 13. A depressed bill, as in Ducks. Fig. 14. *A serrated or toothed bill, as in the genus Mergos. Plate 8. Anatomy. — Beaks. nXTSOHSITSBHGXiR'S SEHXES. FIRST BOOKS NATURAL^HISTORY, FOR SCHOOLS, COLLEGES, AND FAMILIES. - 1. ELEMENTS OF ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY. 2. ELEMENTS OF MAMMALOGY, The Natural History of Quadrupeds. 3. ELEMENTS OF OENITHOLOGY, The Natural History of Birds. 4. ELEMENTS OF HERPETOLOGY AND ICHTHYOLOGY, The Natural History of Reptiles- and Fishes. 5. ELEMENTS OF CONCHOLOGY, The Natural History of Shells and Alollnsca. 6. ELEMENTS OF ENTOMOLO GY, The Natural History of Insects. 7. ELEMENTS OF BQTANY, The Natural H^istory of Plants. 8. ELEMENTS OF G'E OLO GY, The Natural History of the Earth's Structure. The above valaable Series of Elemmtury School Booha are for sale by Booksellers and Country Merchants generally throughout the United States^