BIRDS 



CHAPTER I 

 GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS CLASS Aves 



A TRAVELER may in many parts of the world journey from one week's end to 

 another without coming across a single Mammal or Reptile, but few indeed are the 

 regions where bird life, in some form, will not present itself more or less abundantly 

 to his gaze; and in no country is this exuberance of bird life, as contrasted with the 

 apparent scarcity of Mammals and Reptiles, more remarkable than in the British 

 Islands. This abundance is largely due to the great majority of Birds being diur- 

 nal in their habits, whereas most Mammals are nocturnal, but it is chiefly owing to 

 the Birds being more numerous in most parts of the world, both as regards indi- 

 viduals and species. On this account alone Birds have always aroused a widespread 

 interest even among those who pay no particular attention to Natural History, and 

 in addition to it we have the beauty of their form, the gorgeous hues with which 

 their plumage is so frequently adorned, and the power of melodious song with 

 which so many members of the class are endowed. Then, again, the many interesting 

 points connected with their habits, and more especially their conjugal affection and 

 the care they bestow on their helpless young, have combined to aid in producing 



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