10 



Sfiid of the power of flight ? What is said of the vertebrae of the 

 neck ? What of those of the back ? What of the breast-bone '( 

 What of the "merry-thought?" By what mode Ls lightne«3 

 in the bones combined with strength? Wliat is said of the 

 temperature of their bodies ? What is remarkable in their respi- 

 ration? What variety do the feathers exhibit? How do they 

 conduce to warmth ? How are those of the wing named ? Give 

 examples of long-sustained powers of flight. What tradition 

 was current respecting Birds of Paradise ? What is said of the 

 haunts of the Gannet? What of its number? Of its mode of 

 capturing its food ? To what depths can they descend in the 

 water? What structural peculiarities give to it the powei-s it 

 enjoys? What is meant by moulting ? Explain the changes in 

 the appearance of the plumage. Of what does the food consist ? 

 Mention some of the vaiious iLses and forms of the beak. Where 

 is food stored until required ? Mention some of the peculiarities 

 of the stomach. Wliat is said of the stomach of the Ostrich ? 

 Of the structure of the eyes of birds ? How many eyelids have 

 they ? Give proofs of their possessing the sense of smell. Give 

 example of the obtuscness of this sense in the Condor ? What 

 controversy has prevailed as to their senses of sight and smell ? 

 What are the habits of the Adjutant ? Enumerate some of the 

 labourers by whom the removal of decaying animal matter is 

 effected. Explain the meaning of the term "migration" as 

 applied to birds. Give examples of the migiatory instinct over- 

 coming another powerful one. In what different ways do birds 

 evince their parental affection ? Give examples of different kinds 

 of nests. Describe the organs of voice. What bird is remarkable 

 for its powers of imitation ? How are birds distributed over dif- 

 ferent regions? Does Europe possess much variety of species? 

 ■What are the comparative numbers of species belonging to the 

 different Ordere? How many species in all, according to Strick- 

 land, are at present known ? Into how many genera are these 

 di\dded ? Have genera a real existence in nature ? Have species 

 a real existence ? Wliat system of classification is avowedly the 

 best ? What is the only sure foundation ? In what way are the 

 external parts said to be an index to the internal ? What union 

 of knowledge is involved in the idea of a perfect system of classi- 

 fication ? Into how many Orders are Birds divided ? What rea- 

 sons are given for commencing in this book with birds of prey, 

 rather than with swimming birds ? 



Order L Raptores. — P. 327. — How distinguised ? What arc 

 the structure and position of the toes ? Into what families are 

 they divided ? 



Family I. — VuUuridce. — P. 327. — How distinguished from the 

 other families? Are any permanently resident in these coun- 

 tries ? What species have been recorded as taken ? What are 

 their habits ? By what peculiarities is the Condor distingmshed ? 

 What erroneous ideas were current respecting it? What are its 

 true dimensions ? To what elevation does it ascend ? Describe 

 the appearance of the Ijammergcyer. Where is it found ? Wliat 

 is told of its audacity ? 



lamily lI.—FalconidcE. — V. 330.— How distinguished? To 



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