136 AVES. 



Among the true land birds, the GalUnacese, like our domestic 

 Cock, have a heavy carriage, a moderate beak, the upper mandible 

 of whicli is arched; the nostrils partly covered by a soft and inflated 

 scale; the toes almost always indented on the edges, and short mem- 

 branes between the bases of the anterior ones. They fly heavily, 

 and but a short distance at a time. Their chief food is grain. 



Birds of prey have a hooked beak, the point of which is sharp, 

 and curved downwards; the nostrils pierced in a membrane which in- 

 vests the whole base of that beak, and feet armed with vigorous talons. 

 They live on flesh, pursue other birds, and are consequently, for the 

 most part, vigorous in flight. The greater number have still a slight 

 web between the external toes. 



The Passerinae comprise many more species than all the other 

 families; but their organization presents so many analogies that they 

 cannot be separated, although varying greatly in size and strength. 

 Their two external toes are united at the base, and sometimes for a 

 part of their length. ■• 



Finally, the name of Scansorise^ or Climbing Birds, has been given 

 to those whose external toe, like the thumb, is directed backwards, 

 because the greater number profit by a conformation so favourable 

 to a vertical position, to climb trees. 



Each of these orders is subdivided into families and genera, and 

 principally from the conformation of the beak. 



ORDER I. 



ACCIPITRES, Lin. 



Birds of Prey are known by their hooked beak and talons, pow- 

 erful weapons, with which they pursue other Birds, and even the 

 weaker Quadrupeds and Reptiles. They are among Birds what 

 the Carnivora are among Quadrupeds. The muscles of their thighs 

 and legs indicate the strength of their claws; their tarsi are rarely 

 elongated; they have, all, four toes; the nail of the thumb and that of 

 the internal toe are the strongest. 



They form two families, the diurnal and the nocturnal. 



