3t> fiTSTORY OF 



follow the most natural distinctions, in enume- 

 rating the different kinds that admit of a history, 

 or require a description. 



Linnaeus divides all birds into six classes : 

 namely, into birds of the rapacious kind, birds 

 of the pie kind, birds of the poultry kind, birds of 

 the sparrow kind, birds of the duck kind, and 

 birds of the crane kind. The four first compre- 

 hend the various kinds of land birds; the two 

 last, those that belong to the water. 



Birds of the rapacious kind constitute that class 

 of carnivorous fowl that live by rapine. He dis- 

 tinguishes them by their beak, which is hooked, 

 strong, and notched at the point ; by their legs, 

 which are short and muscular, and made for the 

 purposes of tearing ; by their toes, which are 

 strong and knobbed ; and their talons, which are 

 sharp and crooked ; by the make of their body, 

 which is muscular ; and their flesh, which is im- 

 pure : nor are they less known by their food, 

 which consists entirely of flesh ; their stomach, 

 which is membranous ; and their manners, which 

 are fierce and cruel. 



Birds of the pie kind have the bill differing 

 from the former : as in those it resembled a hook, 

 destined for tearing to pieces, in these it resem- 

 bles a wedge, fitted for the purpose of cleaving. 

 Their legs are formed short and strong for walk- 

 ing ; their body is slender and impure, and their 

 food miscellaneous. They nestle in trees, and 

 the male feeds the female during the time of in- 

 cubation. 



