278 



THE REASON WHY: 



A giantess she seems ; but, look behind, 

 And then she dwindles to the pigmy kind, 

 Duck-legged, short waisted.&quot; DKYUEN, 



ORDKR VII. GRALLATORES. 



887. Wliy is the order grallatores so tcrined? 



From the circumstance that the birds comprehended in it are 

 waders, distinguished by the length of their legs, and generally 

 of their bilk. The word is formed from grallce, &quot; stilts ;&quot; grallatores, 

 therefore, means literally &quot;stilt walkers&quot; 



888. These birds feed upon 

 worms and the smaller species of 

 fish found on the banks, and hold 

 an intermediate place between land 

 and aquatic birds ; and though 

 not provided with any apparatus to 

 enable them to swim, the provision 

 thus made, as in the case of the 

 long-lagged plover seen in the 

 engraving, enables them to wade 

 in the water in search of their 

 prey, and to seize it without any 

 difficulty. 



889. Why have long-legged wading birds generally short tails f 



Because tails of any considerable length would be inconvenien 

 to such birds : coming in contact with water, they^ would be liable 

 to become wet, heavy, and cumbersome. For, although the 

 plumage of water-birds is provided with an oil which repels 

 water, it operates chiefly upon the closer plumage, to prevent 

 the water from penetrating to the flesh of the body. 



890. Another reason why wading birds have short tails is to be found in the 

 fact that many of them are of hiding habits, and fond of concealing themselves in 

 tall vegetation. Birds which have these habits are always small-tailed, or thai 

 member is so disposed, as in the pheasant, that it trails the earth, and in no way 

 interferes with their concealment. 



891. Why have wading birds wide-spreading feet ? 



Because, in searching after their food, they have frequently tc 



