22 ON THE BONES OF BIRDS. 



they soon lose their rumps ;" and, taking 

 this for granted, gravely imputes it to the 

 climate. 



These are the principal varieties, and 

 from them proceed all the various breeds or 

 races found in our poultry-yards. More 

 than twenty are enumerated by authors, but 

 it is scarcely necessary or useful to treat of 

 them here. Previous to describing more in 

 detail the usual races found in this country, 

 we conceive it to be highly important to 

 say a few words on the structure of the in- 

 teresting animals which we propose to rear. 

 It is not our purpose to enter into minute 

 anatomical details, but simply to present a 

 few observations sufficient for the general 

 reader. 



The bones of birds, although much light- 

 er, bear a close resemblance, in their num- 

 ber and position, to those of quadrupeds, 

 with striking deviations, however, in their 

 shape. The bones of the neck are more 

 numerous, and vary in birds from nine to 

 twenty-three. The breastbone is much ex- 

 panded and dilated, and all the bones of 



