NATURAL HISTORY. 257 



" For both the bonglis doe laughing blossoms beare, 

 And with fresh colours deck the wanton prime, 

 And eke at once the heavy trees they clime, 

 Which sceme to labour under their fruite's lode." SPKNSEH. 



792. Why has the kingfisher remarkably small feet? 



Because the habits of the bird are neither those of wading, 

 walking, nor standing ; but simply of perching upon the points of 

 small twigs that overhang the water. The kingfisher watches 

 patiently, generally from a naked twig, and when it quits that, flies 

 immediately to a similar station. 



The feet of the kingfisher, which at first appear very imperfect, 

 and totally unfit for ordinary purposes, are, in fact, excellently 



adapted to the wants of the bird. 



i 



793. Why are the bee-eaters so called ? 



Because bees form a considerable part of their food, though 

 they devour also wasps, hornets, and various other insects of 

 comparatively long and rapid flight. 



ORDER III. SCANSORES. 



794. Why is the third order of birds termed scansores ? 



The word scansores is derived from the Latin scando, to climb 

 and implies that these birds live and obtain their food in a 

 scaling position. 



795. Their feet are adapted for clinging to the bark of trees; and they ascend the 

 stems and branches with great facility. Their food, for the most part, consists of 

 insects, which they search for in the crevices and underneath the bark of unsound 

 trees, or in the wood of such as exhibit symptoms of decay. They also occasion- 

 ally eat fruit. The order is very extensive, comprehending the woodpecker, 

 the cuckoo, the parrot, macaws, love birds, cockatoos, toucans, lories, &c. 



796. Why is the name " zygodactyli " also given by ornithologists 

 to the scansores, or climbers ? 



Because of a peculiarity in the feet ; two of their toes being 

 directed forwards, and two backwards. 



