BIRDS IN GENERAL. 7 



a week or two, or feed them with gravel in their coops. 

 Granivorous birds have short bills, which are straight, 

 or a little hooked towards the end. They have small 

 nails on their toes ; the toes being divided to their roots, 

 are either fitted for scratching in the dirt, or grasping 

 the limbs of trees, or for both. 



These birds are mild and gentle in their disposi- 

 tions, and habits. They spend their lives in seeking 

 their food, rearing their young, and avoiding rapacious 

 birds and the snares of man. To this order belong 

 the Hen, Partridge, Canary bird, Sparrow, and many 

 others. 



The Carnivorous, or rapacious birds, live on animal 

 food, and instead of being mild and innocent in their 

 dispositions, they are ferocious and warlike in their 

 manners and habits. They are not formed to live on 

 corn, and seeds, since they are without gizzards for 

 grinding them. They have strong claws for seizing 

 and holding their prey, and sharp, hooked bills, for 

 tearing it in pieces. These birds live by war and plun- 

 der, and prey upon all such animals as they can mas- 

 ter. In their manners, they are fierce and solitary, 

 never associating together in flocks like granivorous 

 birds. They have uncommon length, and power of 

 wing, by which means they are able to overtake and 



What kind of bills have these birds? 



Are these birds mild, or ferocious ? 



Mention some of the birds which belong to this order. 



On what do Carnivorous bids live? 



Are they mild, or warlike in their habits ? 



How are their bills and claws formed? 



Do these birds associate in flocks? 



