VERTEBRATE ANIMALS OF SOUTH CAROLINA. 217 



CLASS AVES. BIRDS. 



A class of oviparous, warm-blooded, air-breathing vertebrates, having 

 the anterior limbs greatly modified for flight. Hind limbs always 

 present. Exoskeleton in the form of feathers. Teeth in existing species 

 absent. In certain extinct forms, Odontorniths, teeth are present. 



The birds form a remarkably compact class of animals. They have 

 attracted more attention on account of their beauty and prevailing harm- 

 lessness than, perhaps, any group of animals, and vie with the mammals 

 in the degree of their usefulness to man. 



No corner of the globe is without representatives of this group. 

 About nine hundred and twent3^-four species and sub-species are North 

 American. Many orders, such as the ostriches, are not represented in 

 our country. 



ORDER PASSERES. PASSERINE BIRDS. 



Birds having four toes fitted for perching, but never versatile, i. e., ca- 

 pable of being turned laterally from one position to another. Hind toe 

 on a level with the others, and always with a claw as long or longer than 

 that of the middle toe. Tail-feathers twelve, primaries (the stiff feathers 

 inserted from the bend of the wing to the tip, and usually ten in num- 

 ber), nine or ten. Sternum uniform in pattern in the various species. 



This group of birds is the most numerous of all in species. The 

 musical capabilities are developed in a high degree, and throughout 

 their structure they display " the highest grade of develoiannent and the 

 most comj^lex organization of the class." — (Coues). Their relations to 

 the success of agriculture are varied, some families being granivorous, 

 and doing much damage to corn and grain, others being insectivorous, 

 and hence of importance in reducing the abundance of noxious insects. 

 Recognized North American species, about three hundred and forty. 



TURDIDiE. 



WOOD THRUSH. Hylocichla mustelina, (Gmel.) Baird. 

 WILSON'S THRUSH. Hylocichla fuscescens, (Steph.) Baird. 

 ? GREY-CHEEKED THRUSH. Hylocichla alicise, Baird. 

 OLIVE-BACKED THRUSH. Hylocichla ustulata rfwainsoni, (Caban.) Ridgw. 



