ORNITHOLOGY. 



SECOND BRANCH OF ZOOLOGY. 



SECTION I. 



ORNITHOLOGY. (Gr. 6^^t?, ornis, a bird ; Ao/og, logos, a dis- 

 course.) BIRDS, (Aves,) 2d Division of the WARM BLOODED 

 ANIMALS. 



The numerous class of vertebrated animals which this term 

 includes, are prominently distinguished from the Mammalia by 

 their general form and feathery covering, and by producing their 

 young from eggs. They fall below quadrupeds in the scale of 

 nature,* but they far surpass fishes and insects in point of saga- 

 city, and in the structure of their bodies. Though called bipeds, 

 they nearly approach to quadrupeds, as may be seen by looking 

 at a plucked pigeon, and observing how, in respect to limbs, it 

 resembles a skinned rabbit, except that the forelegs have no feet 

 or toes at their tips. 



Birds are formed for flight ; they have been, not unaptly, 

 styled, "the Insects of the vertebrated series." The organiza- 

 tion of the greater part is wisely adapted both for suspension in 

 the air, and for motion through it. Their activity in so subtle a 

 medium, required various conditions and adaptations of structure 

 which an attentive examination clearly presents, as combined in 

 their organization by the all-wise Creator. 



The shape of the body is sharp before, to pierce and make 

 way far itself through the air ; it rises by gentle swelling, and 

 falls off by an expansive tail, that helps to keep it buoyant, while 

 the foreparts are cleaving the air by their sharpness. Hence, 

 they may be compared to a bark making its way through the 

 water ; the trunk of the body answering to the hold ; the head 

 to the prow ; the tail to the rudder ; and the wings to the oars. 



* The following scale is given, showing the size of the brain as com- 

 pared with that of the body: Eagle, l-260th of the body; Sparrow, 

 l-25th; Chaffinch, l-27th ; Redbreast, l-32d; Blackbird, l-68th; Canary- 

 bird, l-14th ; Cock, l-25th ; Duck, 1-257 th ; Goose, l-360th. 



