By the Rev. A. C. Smith. 295 



In the " Rasores" or Ground birds we shall see a formation of 

 foot widely differing from both the above orders : these are a harm- 

 less and quiet race, never preying upon other creatures, but eating 

 berries and grain, and such food as they can find upon the ground ; 

 and they are subject to frequent attacks from carnivorous birds as 

 well as quadrupeds ; their flesh, too, being very palatable, man is 

 not the least of their destroyers; but with so many enemies, from 

 which to escape, their flight is laboured and heavy, and they are 

 unable to protract it to any great distance ; providence, however, 

 which leaves no creature without some means of defence, has pro- 

 vided for the ground birds a suitable remedy in their remarkable 

 powers of running; for this end such feet as those which I have 

 shown to belong to the above-named divisions would be little 

 adapted ; in lieu of which they have frequently but three toes, the 

 hind one being altogether omitted, or if present, it is always very 

 small and considerably elevated; all the toes are very short, and 

 excellently adapted for running, not only for swiftness (though 

 that is often very great) but also for long continuance, and pro- 

 tracted exertion; moreover, they are provided with limbs of great 

 muscular development, as well as with short and blunt claws : thus 

 the members of this order when alarmed, run from the supposed 

 danger at their utmost speed, and endeavour to conceal themselves 

 under the thickest cover at hand ; and it is only when hard pressed, 

 and other means of escape fail, that they rise on the wing with 

 considerable exertion, and fly heavily away. 



We come now to the two orders of Water birds, and in each of 

 these we shall see the feet and legs adapted precisely to the habits 

 of their possessors. The " Grallatores" or Waders, first claim our 

 notice: they seem to be a connecting link between the true land 

 and water birds, partaking somewhat of the nature of each; 

 generally incapable of swimming, and therefore unable to go into 

 deep water, they are formed for passing a great portion of their 

 time on land ; but yet as all their food must be procured from the 

 water, or from wet and marshy spots, they haunt the vicinity of 

 lakes or streams, or the seashore; and, as a combination of both 

 elements, delight in fens and swamps, where they can wade about, 



2 q 2 



