269 



TABLE XIV. (See page 15.) 



CONTAINS the third order, consisting of birds with two 

 toes before and two behind, for the purpose of climbing. 

 This order is subdivided into two tribes, distinguished by the 

 form and character of their beaks : the cuneiform, or wedge- 

 shaped, being small, and not toothed or indented; and the 

 levirostral, or light beaks, which are indented more or less, 

 and though in general large, are of a lighter and thinner 

 substance. 



TABLE XV. (See page 16.) 

 ORDER 2. TRIBE 1. CUNEIROSTRAL, (Wedge-billed.} 



OF the five genera included in this tribe, the Cuckoos, 

 Woodpeckers, and Wrynecks, are found in England. The 

 remaining two, viz., Jacamars and Anis, are American. The 

 Jacamars are nearly allied to the Kingfishers, living, however, 

 on insects instead of fish, and building on low branches in 

 the depth of dark and damp forests, instead of in holes by 

 the water-side. The Anis, like the Jacamars, frequent the 

 woods, but seem to be of a much more social nature. If 

 taken young, they may be easily tamed, and even taught to 

 speak some words. Amongst themselves, too, they are the 

 most friendly birds imaginable, for they not only fly in flocks, 

 but lay and sit, many pairs together, in one large nest, built 

 by joint consent for the whole party. Future travellers, we 

 doubt not, will be able to relate many interesting anecdotes 

 of these sociable, happy birds, but at present little more is 

 known about them than what we have related. 



Not so, however, of our British cuneiform birds, our 

 Cuckoos, Woodpeckers, and Wrynecks. Everybody's atten- 

 tion is drawn to the first, whether he will or no. For as 

 soon as the Winter is well over, and " April showers prepare 

 the way for May flowers," we hear the Cuckoo's note. It 



