By the Rev. A. C. Smith. 113 
billed,’ so called from the distinct tooth or notch near the extremity 
of the bill, enabling the bird to hold securely whatever it may 
seize: it is chiefly composed of insect-eating birds, and of these 
the redbreast is an example. The second is the ‘Conirostres’ or 
‘ cone-billed, so called from the conical form, as well as immense 
strength of the beak; these birds are principally consumers of 
grain, as an instance of which we may name the common house- 
sparrow. The third comprises the ‘Scansores’ or ‘ climbers,’ the 
members of which are remarkable for their power of climbing, and 
to this end they are furnished with toes arranged in pairs, with 
stiff bristling tail to serve as a support, with tongues capable of 
great elongation and extension, whereby they may transfix the 
insects they find in the trees they are ascending; of this the wood- 
peckers are examples. The fourth and last tribe is composed of 
the ‘ Fissirostres’ or ‘ wide-billed,’ so called from their enormous 
width of gape: these have usually very small feet, and take their 
food principally on the wing: every one will readily perceive how 
well the swallows answer to this description. 
Having now reached the point at which the four tribes of perchers 
are on an equality with the remaining four entire orders, we come 
to subdivide these several classes into ‘rammixs.’. The word 
“families” describes itself at once: these, it will clearly be per- 
ceived, are groups of birds belonging to the same order and tribe, 
and having still nearer affinities one to another, not shared by 
members of another family, though belonging to the same order 
and tribe. Thus, for example, the tribe ‘ tooth-billed’ is composed 
of a number of families, the thrushes, the warblers, the titmice, 
&e., all resembling one another in the formation of their beak, 
and other characteristics of the tribe: but each family containing 
distinctive marks, separating them from the remaining families, 
and uniting them in a closer alliance to one another. 
When we have mastered the classification of birds up to this 
point, we have attained no slight knowledge of their arrangement ; 
but again we must pursue our enquiries a little farther, and sub- 
divide these families into Genera. Of these each family contains 
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