84 ZOOLOGY. 



order iii. 



Passeres. passerine. 



The species contained in this Order, are very numerous ; 

 many of them possess a melodious note, and the greater part 

 are applicable to the purposes of food for Man. A large 

 proportion delight us by the elegance of their plumage ; but 

 more, by the ingenuity displayed in the construction of 

 their nests, and the artifices they practise for securing their 

 young. Some of the genera feed on insects, and grain ; 

 others on fruits, berries, and seeds, and many on insects, 

 worms and snails. Most of those that are natives of this 

 country are migratory, either resorting here in the spring 

 for the purpose of rearing their young ; or on the approach 

 of "winter, seeking food, and shelter, from the rigour of 

 more northern climates. 



The characters of the Order are a conical, pointed Bill ; 

 nostrils oval, pervious, and naked, feet formod for hopping, 

 walking and perching; not any of them are climbers. There 

 are sixteen genera in the order, which are divisible into hard 

 and soft-billed ; the former feeding on seeds, berries, and 

 snails ; the latter on insects and pulpy fruit. 



1. Sturnus. Stare or Starlincj. Bill strait, depressed j 

 nostrils surrounded with a prominent rim ; tongue cleft j 

 legs strong, covered with large scales ; toes three for- 

 ward, and one backward, the centre one connected 

 to the outer as far as the first joint : feet formed fov 

 running and perching. 



