50 



FASSEEES. 



flies off with it to his nest. In this way rats, mice, and small animals of all 

 kinds, including young hares and rabbits, are captured by this nocturnal 

 marauder. The barn owl also destroys larks and other small birds, and often 

 catches the moths and beetles so abundant during summer evenings. His 

 principal food, however, consists of mice, which abound in stack-yards and 

 corn-fields. These are swallowed whole, their bones and other indigestible 

 parts being disgorged as pellets, which accumulate in the roosting-place of 

 tneir destroyer. The benefits these birds confer upon the farmer by destroy- 

 ing vermin are therefore considerable. The nest consists of sticks and straws, 

 and the number of eggs varies from two to five. 



ORDER II. 



Passeres. 



THE birds belonging to this Order are frequently termed 

 Inscssores, or Perchers, seeing that they are, for the most 

 part, expressly adapted for a life among the branches of trees or 

 bushes, upon which they perch, and hop from twig to twig. Their 

 feet are, consequently, more or less constructed for this purpose. 

 Their legs are of moderate length, and the toes, usually placed 

 three in front and one behind, are provided with sharp and slender 

 claws, and of sufficient strength to secure the bird firmly on its 

 perch. This arrangement of the toes is, however, subject to cer- 

 tain exceptions, as we shall see when speaking of particular species. 

 There are other general characters, which, taken in conjunction 

 with those given above, will, in doubtful cases, frequently enable 

 us to determine whether a bird belongs to this Order or not. The 

 tarsi are covered with shield-like horny plates, so disposed that 

 while in front there are several of these pieces, the back of the 

 leg is usually covered by a single long shield. The outer toe of 

 each foot is generally united to the middle one for a greater or 

 less extent, sometimes only at the base, but occasionally nearly 

 to the extremity. The claws with which the toes are armed are 

 either of moderate length or very long and slender. The wings 

 are well developed, so that many of the Passerine races fly remark- 

 ably well. The primary quill-feathers in the wings are usually ten 



