TWO YOUNG NATURALISTS. 



And so the web-feet were next arranged. As 

 they were very numerous, and as, if the feet were 

 left out of consideration, they were not very similar 

 to one another, it was necessary to make several 

 subdivisions of them, the most important being, 

 the grebes, the sea-gulls, the cormorants, and the 

 ducks. 



" Now for the fourth order," said Le*on. But 

 seeing that his cousin was now in difficulties he 

 concluded the classification himself. 



" First the climbers, the born protectors of our 

 forests, frequenting the trunks of the trees in search 

 of insects : woodpeckers, wrynecks, cuckoos, and 

 creepers. 



" Then the Gallinae or game birds, the edible order 

 par excellence, created, one might suppose, for the 

 particular satisfaction of the lovers of the table: 

 partridges, quail, pigeons, grouse, pheasants, &c., to 

 say nothing of our domestic fowls. 



" We have progressed by a process of elimination," 

 continued the young naturalist ; " and now nothing 

 remains for our consideration but the perchers or 

 Passeres." 



" Now then," cried Ke'ne, " about Jacob, the mag- 

 niloquent and voluminous Jacob. Would you place 

 him in the same order as the wrens, the finches, or 

 the tits ? If I were him and had so clever a tongue 

 I should protest against this." 



