MODE OF DETERMINING A SPECIES. 363 
divisions of birds, to see under which it will come. In 
this there is no difficulty. The structure of its toes, 
three before and one behind; and this latter resting 
on the same level with the others, shows at once that 
it belongs to the order of Insessores, or perchers. Now, 
as this order is again divided, you carefully look over 
the next set of divisions, namely, the Dentirostres, or 
toothed-billed ; the Conirestres, or conic-billed ; the 
Scansores, or climbers; the Tenuwirostres, or honey- 
suckers ; and the Fissirostres, or swallows. Now, here 
perhaps, you will have some difficulty in deciding 
whether your bird belongs to the Conirostres or the 
Dentirostres ; because, in some measure, it unites the 
characters of the two. Its somewhat conic bill, with- 
out a notch, seems at variance with one of ‘the chief 
characters of the Dentirostres; but then its small size, 
animal food, sharp curved claws, and climbing toes, are 
in its favour; and, therefore, the preponderance of its 
characters decides the question. At the same time, you 
perceive that, as it has not all the dentirostral characters, 
it must belong to one of the aberrant divisions ; in other 
words, to the warblers. To the family of Sylviade you 
accordingly turn: and here you find a division (or sub- 
family) called Pariane, characterised by their facility 
of climbing, a habit which exactly tallies with your bird. 
To this division, therefore, you refer ; and there the very 
first genus you meet with is Parus, defined as having 
a compressed conic entire bill, strong feet, inner toe 
shorter than the outer, long, curved, and sharp hind 
claw, and wings with the third, fourth, and fifth quills of 
equal length; all this answering precisely to the bird 
before you. All that now remains is to ascertain the 
species, which depends upon the colour of the plumage. 
Thus, you have traced your bird through the order, 
tribe, family, sub-family, and genus to which it belongs; 
and, having found its specific and common name, you 
may read its particular history in any of the authors who 
have written upon the species. 
(449.) Such is the plan of study and mode of investi- 
