12 Introduction. 



turing near the habitation of inan, and always taking flight at 

 the distant approach of their great enemy. Still, sometimes in 

 our great woods or thick enclosures, and often on our open 

 downs, the most unobservant must have seen the Hawk hovering 

 with expanded wings high in the air, or dashing in pursuit after 

 fi luckless bird, or pouncing with unerring aim on some unfortu- 

 nate mouse. The most careless must have occasionally heard 

 the wild hooting or the unearthly shriekings of the Owl, as it has 

 hurried past in search of prey in the shades of evening. The 

 principal characteristics of this order are the long and curved 

 claws, the hooked and powerful bill, the muscular limbs, the 

 great strength, the predatory habits, the love of animal food ; 

 these are traits so marked and peculiar, that it will require but 

 little discrimination to distinguish birds belonging to this order 

 from all the others. 



The second embraces those innumerable small birds which are 

 so familiar to all of us ; and contains a much larger number of 

 species than either of the other four orders. These are the 

 ' Insessores,' or 'perching birds,' which fill our woods and gardens, 

 abound in our fields, and may be met with at every turn in our 

 daily walks. They possess far more intelligence than birds of 

 any other class, are remarkable for the vocal powers with which 

 some of them are endowed ; but especially derive their name 

 from the perfect form of the foot, which is so admirably adapted 

 for perching or grasping, and in which the hind toe is always 

 present. When we come to examine the subdivisions" of this 

 order, we shall find that the ' Insessores ' comprise birds varying 

 greatly from one another in habits and general appearance ; yet 

 all belonging to this division partake of the grand distinguishing 

 features which I have shown to be characteristic of it. 



The third order contains the 'Rasores,' or 'ground birds,' 

 comprehending all such as being land birds, and yet not being 

 birds of prey, and not having feet perfectly adapted to perching, 

 obtain the principal part of their food upon the ground ; their 

 wings in general are short, and they are not capable of such 

 extended flight as belongs to members of the two preceding 



