REPTILES. 219 



flight, but runs with immense rapidity. Its height varies 

 from six to eight feet j it is the most lofty of birds and the 

 swiftest of all animals. 



The toes of Web-footed birds (An'sercs,) are connected 

 together by a membrane, which fits them for being used as 

 oars. Their whole structure is such as to adapt them for 

 swimming : their legs are situated far back upon their bodies, 

 their feathers are thick, smooth and oily, and their skin be- 

 neath covered with a layer of close down, which effectually 

 protects them from the contact of water. Most of them are 

 capable of lofty and long continued flight, as the wild goose 

 and duck ; whilst others from the shortness of their wings 

 can scarcely raise themselves into the air, but are principal- 

 ly confined to the surface of the water. 



As quadrupeds cast their hair, so all birds every year ob- 

 tain a new covering of feathers ; this is what is termed 

 moulting. During its continuance, they always appear 

 sickly and disordered ; no feeding can maintain their 

 strength, for their nourishment is now consumed and ab- 

 sorbed in administering a supply to the growing plumage. 

 It is worthy of observation, that of the vast number of birds 

 which inhabit the globe, it has never been discovered that a 

 single one is of a poisonous nature. They differ very much 

 in being more or less salutary and palatable, as an article of 

 diet ; but none of them are pernicious. Sea-faring people 

 and travellers eat every species of egg without the smallest 

 hesitation. 



Questions. — 1 What renders birds objects of intsrest to the natu- 

 ralist and philosopher ? 2. Describe the first order of birds. 3. Second. 

 4. Third. 5. Fourth. 6. Fifth. 7. Sixth. 8. What is said of their 

 moulting ? 9. What is worthy of observation respecting them .'' 10, 

 What are the Linnsean orders of birds ? (see Appendix.) 



LESSON 98. 



Reptiles and Fishes. 

 Icthyol'ogy, that branch of natural history which treats of fishes. 

 Reptiles have less intelligence, fewer faculties, and less in- 

 stinct, than either quadrupeds or birds. They are, in general, 

 sluggish and indolent in their habits of life, and obtuse in 

 their sensations. In cold countries they pass the greater 



