CLIMBING BIRDS. 161 



Fig. 132 (p. 160), is supposed to be of the same species 

 with the common Creeper of this country. This pretty 

 little bird may be seen running spirally up the trunks of 

 trees, probing the bark here and there with its bill in 

 search of insects that harbor in the crevices. To this 

 family belong the Nuthatches and the Wrens, of both 

 which there are several species in this country. 



Questions. What is said of the Thrush family ? What of the 

 Mocking-bird ? What of the American Robin ? What of the Water 

 Ousel ? What other birds of this family are noticed ? What is said 

 of the family of Fly-catchers ? What of the Kingbird ? What other 

 birds of this family are mentioned ? What is said of the family of 

 Waxwings ? What is the third division of the Perchers ? What 

 are the chief characteristics of the birds of this division ? What is 

 said of the Goatsuckers ? What of their feet ? What species are 

 mentioned as belonging to this country ? What is said of the Swal- 

 lows? What of the Swift ? Of the Chimney Swallow ? Of the Bank 

 Swallow? What is said of the Todies? What of the Trogons? 

 What are the characteristics of the Tenuirostres ? What families are 

 in this group ? What is said of the Humming-birds ? What of their 

 wings ? Of their tongues ? Of their humming ? What is said of a 

 species found on the western coast of America ? What is said of the 

 Sunbirds ? What of the Honeysuckers ? What of the Creepers ? 



CHAPTER XYI. 



CLIMBING, SCRATCHING, AND RUNNING BIRDS. 



264. WE come now to the third order of Land Birds, 

 the Scansores, or Climbers. They have four toes, two 

 directed forward and two backward. Spending most of 

 their time in climbing, the muscles of their lower extrem- 

 ities are made strong for this purpose ; and, on the other 

 hand, as they have little need of flying, the muscles of 

 their wings are small. The order includes four families : 

 the Parrots, Toucans, Woodpeckers, and Cuckoos. There 

 are such marked differences between these families, that 

 it would seem that some of them ought to be reckoned 



