CONTENTS. 



PAGE 

 INTRODUCTION i 



CHAPTER I. Rank of Birds in the Animal Kingdom. Tables of 

 Classification. Directions for their Application .... 5 



CHAPTER II. Structure of Birds. External Structure. Skeleton. 

 Character of Beak. Bones, their Lightness. Solidity of Back- 

 bone. Breastbone, Use of. Wing-bones. Legs, Peculiarities of. 

 When resting on one leg, why Birds do not fall . . . .26 



CHAPTER III. Internal Structure. Digestive Organs. Gullet, Crop, 

 Stomach Adaptation of, to different Habits of Birds. Gastric 

 Juice Its Use and Properties. Gizzard, its Grinding Powers. 

 Respiration of Birds ......... 42 



CHAPTER IV. Organs of Sound. Ducks, Crane, Goat-sucker, Bell- 

 bird, &c. Distance at which Sounds may be heard. Plumage. 

 Structure of Feathers. Goose-Plucking. Summer and Winter 

 Plumage 55 



CHAPTER V. Flight. Muscular Power of Wings. Peculiarity of, in 

 different Birds. Adapted to various Habits. Rapidity of Motion, 

 and Rate of How calculated. Long Continuance of Flight ac- 

 counted for. Migration, Causes of. Tendency of most Birds to 

 wander at particular times. Why seldom seen in the act of 

 Migrating. Instinctive power of finding their way ... 68 



CHAPTER VI. Eagle and Haw)c Tribe. Wild Eagle Tamed 

 Muscular Powers of Carry off Children, Lambs, &c. Sometimes 

 killed on the Wing by Weasels. Battle between Cat and Eagle. 

 How Caught when Fishing Voracity of Nests Singular Mode 

 of capturing their Prey. Bird of Washington. Eagle Traps. 

 Feathers prized , 92 



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