1 90 REPTILES AND BIRDS. 



birds are the scavengers of the earth, lending their aid to make it a 

 fit residence for man. 



In former days falconry afforded a popular and noble sport for 

 the great, in which lords and noble dames assisted. This pastime 

 still exists in England and some portions of the East, especially in 

 Persia, where the falcon is trained to chase the gazelle ; while in 

 China and Japan the cormorant and pelican are taught to fish the 

 rivers for their masters. From very ancient times, the carrier pigeon 

 was the bearer of messages now transmitted along the electric wires 

 with lightning speed ; in the siege of Paris the birds were found to 

 be almost invaluable. 



Nor do these benefits comprise all the claims of birds on the 

 gratitude of man. In tropical America the Agami or Trumpeter is 

 domesticated, and so docile in its habits, that it is employed to 

 watch the flocks, which it does with the fidelity and intelligence of 

 a dog. " The Agami," says M. Monocour, " is not only tamed 

 easily, but becomes attached to its benefactor with all the fondness 

 and fidelity of a dog. When bred in the house, it loads the master 

 with caresses, and follows all his motions with affection/' It is 

 bold and obstinate, and will attack cats and dogs, fighting a tough 

 battle with one of the latter, however considerable his size. In 

 Cayenne the denizens of the poultry-yard are confided to its care ; 

 it leads them to their pasture, prevents them from straying to a 

 dangerous distance, and brings them home in the evening, just as a 

 trained shepherd's dog will do the flocks committed to his care, and 

 it manifests its delight by cries of joy when its master vouchsafes a 

 caress in return for its faithful service. The Cariama, which belongs, 

 like the Agami, to the same order, possesses similar characteristic 

 intelligence. Like the former, it is sociable and susceptible of edu- 

 cation, and becomes a most useful auxiliary to the inhabitants of 

 South America. 



After these brief remarks on the organisation and habits of Birds, 

 we proceed to describe the more remarkable species, arranged ac- 

 cording to a simple and comprehensive classification ; but the reader 

 may be referred to Dr. Bowdler Sharpe's article on " Birds " in 

 " Cassell's Natural History " for a more elaborate system. 



AVES BIRDS. 



Warm-blooded, vertebrated, biped animals. Pectoral limbs, fore- 

 arms or wings organised for flight ; feathery integument ; red blood ; 

 respiration and circulation double ; lungs fixed and perforated, 



