BRITAIN^S BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS. 89 



NIDIFUGOUS NESTLINGS. 



Plate 29. 



Owing to the impracticability of showing young birds as 

 well as eggs in the ordinary illustrations, two extra plates 

 have been added to deal with this important part of our 

 subject. These show typical nestlings of the two groups 

 of Nidifugous {iiest-feemg) and Nidicolous {nest-dwelling) 

 birds. The division, it may be remarked, is not of any 

 importance for purposes of classification, a varied collection 

 of natural Orders falling into each group, while othei-s 

 display intermediate characters. The various types are 

 discussed in detail under the headings of appropriate 

 species (see Index), and it is here only necessary to 

 summarise briefly the most salient features of Nidifugous 

 nestlings. Nidicolous birds are similarly treated at 

 page 225. 



Birds with nidifugous young nest on or near the gi'ound. 

 The incubation period is relatively long, and the young 

 therefore emerge from the egg at a well -developed stage. 

 They are open-eyed and down-clad from the first, and are 

 usually strong and active enough to leave the nest within 

 a few hours. Often they require of their parents only 

 guidance and protection, but in other cases they are fed 

 for some time. A few weeks are necessary for the young 

 birds to attain full size. With this comes the completion 

 of the first plumage of real feathers and the resulting 

 power of flight. 



The 'Game-birds' represent the highest extreme in the 

 way of early activity and independence. Every one knows 

 that chickens feed themselves from the first, and are quite 

 lively before they are well clear of the shell. Game-birds, 



L 



