90 ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. 



the occupations which they pursue. From a compa- 

 rison of these it will at once be seen that the typical 

 family of Climbers among birds must necessarily occupy 

 a corresponding station in the Class to which they 

 belong, with that which is filled by those tribes of the 

 Mammalia whose organization renders them peculiarly 

 the inhabitants of trees. 



One of the most important characters, as affecting 

 their mode of life, is that which is derived from the 

 structure of their feet. In the Monkeys these organs 

 are essentially fitted for climbing from branch to branch 

 and leaping from tree to tree, which they perform with 

 an agility not to be surpassed ; while their progression 

 on the surface of the ground is generally awkward and 

 constrained. In like manner the Parrots, or at least 

 the far greater number among them, are incapable of 

 treading the earth with ease, while the zygodactyle 

 disposition of their toes and the strong curvature of 

 their claws enable them to grasp, with a firmness 

 unequalled among birds, the branches on which they 

 perch, and consequently to climb with singular dexte- 

 rity. In this operation they occasionally derive consi- 

 derable assistance from their bills, by means of which 

 they not unfrequently suspend themselves from the 

 branches, or support themselves during their ascent or 

 descent from one to another. This is peculiarly the 

 case with the American groups ; and the prehensile 

 tails of many American Monkeys afford a similar sup- 

 port, enabling them to swing from branch to branch 

 almost without the assistance of their hands. 



Both Parrots and Monkeys derive the principal part 

 of their subsistence from the trees which they inhabit, 

 vegetable food being the most congenial to their organi- 

 zation, and fruits being generally preferred by them to 

 every other kind of nutriment. Stone-fruits or nuts are 



