THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY 



cock, grouse, quail, partridge, white-crowned pigeon and 

 water ousel. The last named bird has the peculiar habit 

 of suddenly diving into the water and while beneath the 

 surface walking quietly about feeding among the pebbles 

 on the bottom. 



From the ceiling hangs a skeleton of the North Atlantic 

 right whale. Proceed to the 



SOUTH CENTRAL WING 

 HABITAT BIRD GROUPS 



"Happy birds, that change their sky 

 To build and brood; that live their life 

 From land to land." 



Tennyson. 



Preeminent for their faithful portrayal of the life of 

 birds are the groups which the visitor should now inspect. 

 Designed to illustrate not only the habits but also the 

 haunts of the species represented, there are usually installed 

 in each group adult bird or birds, nest, eggs and young. 

 The pictures of their homes are from nature, not fanciful 

 sketches, each with its definite locality, therefore possess- 

 ing a geographical as well as an ornithological value. 16 



Beginning with the case at the entrance and passing to 

 the right, the groups are arranged in the following se- 

 quence: 



Orizaba Group. In the foreground is the luxuriant vege- 



10 The Habitat Groups of North American Birds .25. 



74 



