CLASSIFICATION OF BIRDS. 151 



seven groups of living species of birds, which, have long 

 been treated as orders, are 



1. RAPTORES or Birds of Prey, which are generally of a rather 



stout form and large size ; and have strong, hooked bills, 

 sharp claws, great extent of whig and powerful muscles ; and 

 whose females are generally larger than the males ; as Fal- 

 cons, Owls, and Vultures. 



2. SCANSORES or Climbing Birds (including PICARI/E, as Tou- 



cans, Trogans, Cuckoos, Woodpeckers ; and PSITTACI, as Par- 

 rots), which in general have their toesiii pairs, two in front 

 and two behind. 



3. INSESSORES or Perching Birds (including OSCINES, as Swal- 



lows, Warblers, Sparrows, Thrushes, etc. ; and CLAMATORES, 

 as Flycatchers, etc.). These birds differ much among them- 

 selves, but all have three toes before and one behind and 

 their feet well adapted for perching. This group is often 

 called PASSERES. 



4. EASORES or Scratching Birds (including COLUMB^E, the Doves, 



etc.; and GALLOLE, Grouse, etc.), a group of stout-bodied 

 birds, adapted mainly for living upon the ground. 



5. CURSORES or Runners, which -are of large size, with a very 



long neck and very long legs, and with only rudimentary 

 wings ; as the Ostriches. 



6. GRALLATORES or Wading Birds (including LIMICOL/E, as 



Plovers, Snipe, Woodcock, etc. ;HERODIONES, as Herons, Ibises, 

 etc. ; and ALECTORIDES, as Cranes, Rails, etc.), which have the 

 bill, neck and legs very long and slender, and a slender body. 



7. NATATORES or Swimming Birds (including LAMELLIROSTRES, 



as Ducks, Geese, etc. : STEGANOPODES, as Gaunets, Pelicans, 

 Cormorants, etc. ; LONGIPENNES, as Gulls and Petrels, etc. ; 

 PYGOPODES, as Loons, Grebes, Auks, etc. ; and SPHENICI, as 

 Penguins only).* 



* Bonaparte and some others divide the birds into two Sub-classes : 



1. ALTRICES, or those whose young are hatched in a very feeble condi- 



tion, and which have to be fed for a considerable time by the 

 parent, as Falcons, Parrots, Thrushes, etc. The name is from the 

 Latin altrix, nourishing. 



2. PK^ECOCES, or those whose young are able to run, and pick up food, as 



soon as hatched, as Grouse, Snipe, Ducks, etc. The name is from 

 the Latin pnecox, early mature. 





