CLASSIFICATION OF BIRDS. 



393 



the conformation of the beak and feet ; organs whose structure 

 corresponds with the diet of the animal. Cuvier, whose method 

 we here follow with little variation, thus divides them into six 

 orders ; the RAPTORES, or Birds of Prey ; the INSESSORES, or 

 Perching Birds ; the SCANSORES, or Climbers ; the RASORES, 

 or Scratching Birds ; the GRALLATORES, or Waders ; and the 

 ]NATATORES, or Swimmers. To these we shall add the order 

 CURSORES, or Running Birds, consisting of the Ostrich and 

 its allies ; which are included by Cuvier among the Waders, but 

 which differ considerably from them. 



I. The RAPTORES, or Birds of Prey, are recognised by the 

 strength of their claws and bill ; the upper mandible is powerful, 

 bent at the end, and terminates in a sharp point suitable for 

 tearing the flesh of the animals they feed on (Fig. 192) ; and the 

 toes, equally vigorous, are furnished with strong hooked talons, 

 by which tney seize their prey (Fig. 186). The general con- 

 formation of the body indicates considerable strength ; and their 

 appearance denotes a ferocious character. Some are diurnal, and 

 are distinguished by their dense plumage, and by the lateral 

 direction of their eyes; such are the Vultures, the Griffins, the 

 Falcons, the Eagles, the Sparrow-hawks, the Hawks, the Buz- 

 zards, &c. Others are nocturnal, and constitute the family of 

 Owls ; characterised by their loose plumage, and by the anterior 

 direction of their eyes. 



II. The INSESSORES, or Perchers, have weak, slender feet, 



formed in the ordi- 

 nary manner; that 

 is, neither palmated, 

 nor armed with 

 strong hooked talons, 

 nor elongated into 

 stilts, and having 

 only one toe di- 

 rected backwards. 

 (Fig. 205.) Their 

 beak is weak, 

 straight, and with little or no curvature (Fig. 206) ; their 



FIG. 205. FOOT OF SONG-THRUSH AND GOLDEN- 

 CRESTED WREN. 



