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? Ofthe 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 XVI. 
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, W oodpeckers, and Cuckoos. There 
are such marked differences between these families, that 
it would seem that some of them ought to be reckoned 
