IMPERIAL EAGLE. 



THE CLASS AVES. THE BIEDS. 



CHAPTER I. 

 INTRODUCTION WING-STRUCTURE AND FEATHERS DISTRIBUTION. 



Introduction Distinctive Characters of the Class Aves Power of Flight The Wing Its Structure The Six Zoo-geogra- 

 phical Regions of the Earth Birds peculiar to these Regions. 



THE study of birds is almost an instinct in an Englishman : from peasant to noble, an innate 

 affection for the feathered songsters seems to pi-evail ; so that whether it be in a stately aviary or in s 

 little cage outside a cottage door, birds are found to be the constant companions of man throughout 

 the length and breadth of the land. And it is possible that no other country in the world possesses 

 such a number of birds, in proportion to its size, as does Great Britain. Any one travelling on the 

 continent of Europe cannot fail to notice how few birds meet his eye ; and although they 

 may be there, and may be found by a little searching for, they do not form such a prominent 

 feature of a walk as they do in England or Scotland. Even the toiler in large towns has but 

 to get a little way into the nearest fields to hear the cheering song of the Skylark or the Thrush, 

 or to be amused with the bustling and active habits of the Starling, or those of the more sedate 

 and cautious Rook. Tt is certain that a study of the habits of birds will always repay the 

 student, who may see in the feathered favourites which are around him many a little bright example 



