BIRDS IN GENERAL. 9 



feet, necks of moderate length, and broad, flat bills. 

 Most of them have their legs placed far back, by means 

 of which they are enabled to paddle themselves thro' 

 the water with great swiftness. 



These birds are not only covered with feathers, 

 like the rest of the race, but they have an additional 

 covering of down next the skin, which completely 

 protects them from the cold as well as the water. 



The Swimmers live almost entirely in the water, 

 some of them at great distances from the land, but 

 most of them are found in bays, and about the mouths 

 of rivers, near the shore. 



Their food consists chiefly of roots, sea-grass, and 

 small shell-fish. Many of these birds obtain their 

 food by diving to the bottom after it, while others 

 pick up theirs along the shores. To this order belong 

 the Ducks, Geese, Penguins, and a great variety of 

 others. 



From the above descriptions, the young student in 

 Natural History can readily distinguish the different 

 classes and orders of Birds from each other. 



If he is presented with a bird, without knowing 

 whether it belongs to the land or water, he must ex- 

 amine the bill, neck, feet and legs. If the bill is of 

 moderate length, the neck and legs short, and the 

 toes divided to their roots, he may be certain that it is 

 a Land Bird. 



What kind of legs and feet have the Swimmers ? 



With what are they covered, besides feathers ? 



Where do these birds live ? 



How do many of them obtain their food ? 



What Birds belong to this Order ? 



What kind of bills, necks and legs have the Land Birds ? 



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