ORNITHOLOGY. 279 



to attention. Considerable interest was awakened by the discov 

 ery, by Prof. Hitchcock, of Amherst College, of many large 

 bird tracks in the new red argillaceous sand-stones of the valley 

 of the Connecticut river. Remains of. colossal birds of the Os 

 trich type have also been obtained from Australia, which possess 

 peculiar value from their relation to such birds as the DODO, 

 known to have existed at a former period, but now no longer to 

 be found. 



The classification of birds into orders is founded upon charac 

 ters derived from the beak and feet. The subordinate divisions 

 take their rise chiefly from the form of the beak, and run into 

 each other by almost imperceptible gradations. The number of 

 species has been estimated at six thousand. These have been 

 arranged into two grand divisions, viz. : LAND and WATER, or 

 TERRESTRIAL and AQUATIC BIRDS, the former being divided into 

 five, the latter into two orders, making the whole number seven, 



RAPTORES, (Raveners,) 

 INSESSORES, (Perchers.) 

 SCANSORES, (Climbers,) &amp;gt; LAND BIRDS. 



ORDERS. &amp;lt; 



RASORES, (Scratchers.) 



CURSORES, (Runners,) 



GRALLATORES, (Stilts or Waders,) ) TTr ,-&amp;gt; 



. NATATORES, (Swimmers,) \ WATEK BlKDS 



What is the second branch of Zoology called ? Give the derivation of 

 the word. To what division of animals do birds belong? How are they 

 distinguished from the Mammalia or first division of warm blooded animals ? 

 Are they Bipeds or Quadrupeds ? What have they been styled ? What 

 does their formation for flight involve ? Explain or show how their struc 

 ture is adapted to it. What is said of the rapidity and variety of their 

 motions ? Explain the skeleton of the bird as given on Plate XII. Name 

 the different kinds of feathers and their situation, as illustrated in Plate 

 X. Name the parts of which each feather is composed. In what does 

 the greatest part of the birds muscular force center? Illustrate its 

 power. Show the use of the wish-bone or merrythought. Give some 

 account of the bones of the lower extremities as illustrated in Plate XII. 

 State the variations as to the number and direction of the toes in different 

 birds. Show the benefit accruing from the numerous joints or vertebras in 

 a bird s neck. State the number found in different birds. Give some ac 

 count of the muscles of a bird and their action. Strictly or properly speak 

 ing, have birds any teeth ? What supplies their place ? What are its up 

 per and lower divisions called ? Describe the different kinds of beaks. 

 Do birds really masticate their food ? What approach to mastication is 

 seen in the Bunting? Of how many parts does the stomach consist? What 

 are their uses ? What facts show the power of the gizzard ? What do the 

 birds organs of voice resemble ? Illustrate this. What senses are most 

 acute in birds ? What is said of the eye and its appendages ? What birds 

 are most remarkable for their length of sight? What for quickness? 

 What is said of their senses? What of their plumage? How are their 



