192 REPTILES AND BIRDS. 
The majority of Scansores belong to the tropics ; a few families, 
such as Woodpeckers and Cuckoos, visit or permanently reside in 
temperate climates. Many are possessed of the most brilliant 
plumage. 
V. PASSERINES. 
Outward toe united to the middle one in a more or less extended 
manner. Cuvier divides them into five families, the first only being 
based on the structure of the feet, the others on the formation of the 
bill. Although arbitrary we shall follow this distribution. 
Passerines are to be found in all climates. They also differ much 
in size and formation—thus, what could be more dissimilar than the 
Rhinoceros Hornbill and our familiar Robin Redbreast. In this 
order are not only to be found the most brilliantly-coloured birds, 
but those possessed of the most graceful plumage. A further attrac- 
tion some of them possess is that charming power of song that never 
fails to delight the human ear. 
VI. RAPTORES, 
Rapacious birds, with strong, curved, pointed, and_sharp-edged 
beak; legs short and robust, three toes before and one behind, 
armed with strong crooked talons. ‘ 
Representatives of this order are to be found in every climate. 
They are generally possessed of sombre dull plumage, and have, with 
one exception, no melody in their voice. From their predatory 
habits they are not favourites with the human family, still many 
genera are of eminent service to man, for they consume the offal 
that in tropical climates would be certain to engender disease, 
