Classification. 15 



powers of swimming and diving, and by their intervention see 

 how easily we pass from the true waders to the true swimmers. 

 Thus we are led on from order to order, not suddenly or uncon- 

 nectedly, but gradually and almost insensibly, proving to us the 

 perfect harmony of all the works of nature, while at the same 

 time we can trace sufficient marks of distinction to prevent any 

 real confusion. 



Having detailed somewhat at length the method pursued in 

 this first great subdivision of the Land and Water birds, I now 

 proceed to show more concisely in what the other subdivisions 

 consist. At present we may be able to define the order to 

 which any given bird may belong, but we are still very far from 

 placing it in that particular position which alone it is entitled to 

 hold. 



The next great subdivision of birds is into ' Tribes,' which will 

 not occupy us long ; for, of the five orders, it is usual to pass by 

 four, as not needing this subdivision, and to apply it only to that 

 very large one, the ' Insessores,' or ' perchers.' These birds being 

 so numerous, and withal so similar in some of their habits, have 

 nevertheless certain marked characteristics, distinguishing at one 

 glance the ' tribe ' to which they belong, and thus very much 

 simplifying their classification. The perchers, then, are divided 

 into four tribes, the first of which is the 'Dentirostres,' or 

 ' tooth-billed' so called from the distinct tooth or notch near the 

 extremity of the bill, enabling the bird to hold securely whatever 

 it may seize ; it is chiefly composed of insect-eating birds, and of 

 these the Kedbreast is an example. The second is the 'Coni- 

 rostres,' or ' cone-billed' so called from the conical form, as well 

 as immense strength of the beak; these birds are principally 

 consumers of grain, as an instance of which we may name the 

 common House-sparrow. The third comprises the ' Scansores,' 

 or 'climbers? the members of which are remarkable for their 

 power of climbing, and to this end they are furnished with toes 

 arranged in pairs, with stiff bristling tail to serve as a support, 

 with tongues capable of great elongation and extension, whereby 

 they may transfix the insects they find in the trees they are 



