CLASSIFICATION OF BIRDS. IQT 
I. NATATORES, OR PALMIPEDES. 
Swimming birds, having the toes united by a membrane; legs 
placed behind the equilibrium ; the body covered with a thick coat 
of down beneath the feathers. 
This order, as well as all the subsequent ones, are subdivided 
into families, genera, species, and even varieties. 
The order of Natatores is most extensively represented all over 
the earth, the Arctic and Antarctic seas, as well as the lagoons and 
rivers of tropical zones, being the habitats of its different represen- 
tatives. Their size also varies much, for the Albatross and Petrel, 
the Swa.1 and the diminutive Teal, are included in it. Among them 
also is such great dissimilarity of form that the inexperienced in 
ornithology would never for a moment suppose that the Flamingo, 
with its long awkward-looking legs and peculiarly shaped bill, belonged 
to the same order as the active, graceful Tropic Bird or the slender- 
shaped Tern. 
IT. GRALLATORES. 
Wading birds, having the legs long and naked from the tibia 
downwards. 
Much that I have said in reference to the former order can be 
applied to this one, for the diminutive Jack-snipe and the immense 
Ostrich are both included in it. Again, there is almost as much dis- 
similarity in some of the bills of members of this order as it would 
be possible to suppose—for instance, that of the Spoonbill and the 
Woodcock. Again, among the Grallatores are to be found some of 
the most valued birds for culinary purposes, while others are entirely 
unfit for human food. 
III. GALLINACE& (fasores, IIl.). 
Scratching birds. Feet with strong, obtuse, scratching claws ; 
mandible vaulted ; nostrils pierced at the base, covered by a carti- 
laginous scale. Domestic and Jungle Fowl. 
Difference of size is not so conspicuous among the members of 
this order, although the Pea-fowl and Turtle Dove are both included 
in it. They are, with few exceptions, natives of tropical and tem- 
perate climates. 
IV. SCANSORES. 
‘ 
Climbing birds, with opposing toes in pairs, two behind and two 
before. 
