THE CLASS BIEDS. 



345 



452. The waders (echassiers) are known by their elevated 

 tarsi, and their legs without feathers inferiorly, a structure 

 which gives them the appearance of walking on stilts, favour- 

 able at once to rapid movement and to wading in fordable 

 waters. Their height is in general elevated, and the length 

 of their neck is such that, however elevated their legs, they 

 can collect their food on the ground without stooping. Some 

 live on herbs, others on aquatic reptiles, others on small 



Fig. 339. The Crane. Fig. 340. The Common Bittern 



of Europe. 



fishes. The birds called oiseaux de rivage, frequenting the 

 banks of lakes and rivers, belong to this division, such as 

 the heron, the crane (Fig. 339), the stork (Fig. 306), the 

 bittern (Fig. 340), the woodcock, the ibis (Fig. 292), the 

 courser (Fig. 297), the water hen, the flamingo (Fig. 342), 

 and some other genera which live not near the waters, but 

 resemble the preceding in their conformation, such as 

 the ostrich (Fig. 296), the cassowary (Fig. 282), and the 

 bustard. 



453. Finally, the palmipeds or swimming birds are 



