CONTENTS 



CHAPTER I 



Importance of subject Incompleteness of our information about 

 even the commonest species Distinction between major and 

 minor habits General activities or tricks of manner 

 Greater importance of the latter in classification Errors to 

 be avoided in observation . . . . pp. I- 1 2 



CHAPTER II 



The locomotion of birds Hopping and walking Reasons for 

 adoption of these gaits Why waterfowl waddle Swimming 

 and diving Perching and climbing Different methods of 

 performing these actions Specialized birds which have taken 

 to different habits, as Ground-Parrots and Land Geese Flight 

 and its varieties Characteristic methods according to group 

 and size Sailing and soaring flight Speed . pp. 13-32 



CHAPTER III 



The nutrition of birds Various kinds of food, animal and vege- 

 table Methods of and adaptations for obtaining it Changes 

 of diet Gluttony of some species Power of discrimination 

 among foods, both vegetable and animal The much-discussed 

 relations of birds to insects, especially butterflies pp. 33~7^ 



3748 



