46 INTRODUCTION. 



consent, been placed at the beginning of the class 

 Aves, and following out oiR* plan, we propose to 

 devote the present volume to that which has, in 

 like manner, been placed second, or next to it. 



The Incessorial order of birds is by far the 

 most important in the whole circle or chain, 

 whether viewed in a scientific light, or taken in 

 relation to its economy in the great plan of 

 nature. In extent it is the most numerous, nearly 

 equalling the numbers of all the others collec- 

 tively ; consequently may be expected to contain 

 an almost endless variety of forms, and modifica- 

 tion of structure ; and thus it has been considered 

 the typical order, or that in which the greatest 

 united perfection of all the properties of a bird 

 were combined. As the name indicates, the 

 power of grasping and of perching, is a prominent 

 feature in their form; 'all possess the hallux, or 

 hind toe, but in none are the claws retractile, as 

 among the members of the former order. The 

 habitual residence of the greater proportion is in 

 the woods or thickets ; and the powers of flight 

 are in all perfect, and in many very highly 

 developed. Their food is nearly as varied as 

 their structure ; but this is never seized by the 

 feet, nor, with a very few exceptions, is the 

 devouring of it assisted by these members. 

 While the bill wants the form of a " tooth," which 

 characterizes the typical raptores, and in those 

 which here represent them by their partially 

 predatorial habits, it is modified by the appear- 

 ance which we express by the term " notched." 



