CLASS AVES (BIRDS). 333 



to this group. Closely related to these are the storks, 

 the herons (Fig. 138), the egrets, and the bittern all 

 shore and wading birds. 



Snipes, Woodcock, Sand-pipers, Plovers, Killdeer (Limi- 

 coloz) . The small birds of this group frequent the sandy 

 or marshy shores, and have long slender legs and long bills. 

 They are of quick, active habits, taking advantage of 

 cover, and are for these reasons "game" birds and sought 

 by hunters. They and their eggs are often protectively 

 colored, and the young are able to take care of themselves 

 soon after hatching. 



The Eagles, Owls, Hawks, Vultures (Raptores). These 

 are the birds of prey. Their adaptations consist of stout 

 curved beaks and sharp curved claws, of powerful wings, 

 and possibly of especially sharp vision. The vultures 

 live on carrion and are scavengers; the others capture 

 living food consisting chiefly of fish, small mammals, 

 and of the smaller birds. They are usually easily recog- 

 nized. The owls (Fig. 141) are among the most interest- 

 ing of these because of their nocturnal habits and their 

 striking adaptations to this sort of life. 



Quails, Partridges, Grouse, Pheasants, Turkeys (Gal- 

 line?). These birds have a very characteristic form 

 (Fig. 140). The body is somewhat stout and plump, 

 the legs are short and armed with short, blunt claws. 

 The beak is stout and bent downward at the point. As 

 a rule, they are not capable of long flights. The order 

 furnishes many game birds and is the most important 

 to man in the amount of food supplied to him. Highest 

 among these is the common domesticated chicken, or 

 barn-yard fowl. The egg and fowl industry is one of the 

 most important of the country, amounting, according to 

 estimates, to more than 400,000,000 dollars annually. 



