

Fig. f. The Great Spotted Woodpecker (Picus 
major), and 
_ Fig. g. The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Picus 
minor), are likewise common European birds; the 
latter is not larger than a house-sparrow. 
The Woodpeckers are among the handsomest 
and most active of our native birds, and any injury 
which they may be supposed to cause to trees is 
doubtless far more than compensated for by their 
services in destroying insects. 
(Plate VIII.) 
Fig. a. The Middle Spotted Woodpecker (Picus 
medius) is another species very similar to the two 
last. Its beak is rather small, and sharp. This bird 
frequents forests. 
Fig. c. The Nuthatch (Seéta europea) forms a 
transition to the Finches. The legs are short, and 
three toes extend forwards, and one, which consists 
of a single joint, backwards. The beak is hard, 
straight, and sharp, and the tail is short, and serves to 
support the bird when climbing. It is rather a pretty 
bird, and very active. It is common in most parts 
of Europe, and is often seen near houses. 

Fig. b. The Wryneck (Yan torquilla) has a 
short conical beak, and loose, very soft plumage. 
It resembles the woodpeckers in the 
structure of the tongue and in the 
position of the toes. The Wryneck 
is not an uncommon bird in Europe 
during the summer. It is of the 
size of a lark, and the general colour Egg of Wryneck 
is grey, with brown transverse lines. It attracts 
attention by the peculiar twisted movements of its 
body, and does good service in destroying injurions 
insects. 

Family IV. Cuculida. 
(Plate XI.) 
Fig. g. The Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) lays its 
eggs in the nests of other birds, and especially in 
those of small in- 
sectivorous _ birds. 
Its eggs are small 
in comparison with 
the size of the bird, 
and are of various 
colours. The 
Cuckoo inhabits woods, where it feeds on insects, 
and especially on the caterpillors which destroy 
forest trees. In the autumn it migrates southwards. 
(Cuckoos). 

Eggs of Cuckoo, 
Order Ill. Syndactylae. 
In this small Order the outer toe is partly con- 
nected with the middle toe. 
Family I. Bucerotide. (Hornbills.) 
These birds have some resemblance to the 
Toucans, and are remarkable for the horny excres- 
cence on their beak. The Two-horned Hornbill 
(Buceros bicornis) which is represented on the wood- 
cut on page 8, is a native of India. Its prevailing 
hues are black and white. 
Family Il. Alcedinide. 
(Plate VIII) 
The Kingfishers have a curious truncated ap- 
(Kingfishers.) 
Order IV. Passeres. 
The birds of this Order possess a_ peculiar 
structure of the larynx, which forms a_ singing 
apparatus, though they are not all able to sing. 
They are found in all parts of the world, and some 
feed on seeds, afid some on insects; and a few, 
even among the smaller species, feed on small mam- 
mals and birds. 
Family I. Upupide. 
(Plate VII) 
Fig. f. The Hoopoe (Upupa epops) is remark- 
able for its long sharp bill, and large crest. It is 
found in many parts of Europe, Asia, and North 
Africa, being a summer visitant in Central Europe. 
It feeds on grubs, worms &c. 
(Hoopoes.) 
Family II. Meropide. (Bee-Eaters.) 
; (Plate VIII.) 
Fig. e. The Bee-Eater (Merops apiaster) is 
another handsome bird. It has a very light and 
elegant flight, and pursues bees and other insects of 


pearance. The head is large, and the beak is straight, 
large and strong. The feet and toes are small, and 
three toes are directed forwards, and one back- 
wards, but the outer toes are connected with 
the middle one. The Kingfishers live on the banks 
of streams and lakes, and feed on small fishes and 
insects. Z 
Fig. d. The Common Kingfisher (Alcedo his- 
pida) is one of our most beautifully-coloured native 
birds. It makes its nest in burrows which it forms 
in clay banks, and lays from five to eight eggs on 
a layer of fish-bones. 
(Singing Birds.) 
all kinds on the wing. It is a migratory bird, com- 
ing to Central Europe from the shores of the Medi- 
terranean and Black Seas, and is sometimes seen in 
large flocks. 
Certhiida. 
(Plate IX.) 
Fig. a. The Tree-Creeper (Certhia familiaris) 
is a little bird hardly larger than a wren, which has 
a long narrow tongue like that of a woodpecker, a 
stiff tail, and toes with long claws, with which it can 
cling tightly to the trees when climbing. It is very 
active, often running about the lower side of the 
branches. It is found throughout Europe and 
Northern Asia. 
Family IIL. (Creepers). 
Family IV. Trochiliida, (Humming Birds.) 
(Plate IX.) 
These beautiful little birds are only found in 
America, and the smaller species scarcely exceed a 
