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PROTECTION OF BIRDS— CLASSIFICATION OF BIRDS. 



Some naturalists even affirm that birds supposed to be too feeble to 

 endure the tedious passage are put to death. The migratory flock 

 flies in two rows or lines, so formed as to be gradually approach- 

 ing nearer each other, and both ending in the one point, so as to 

 form a figure resembling a harrow or the letter V. Some fly in 

 direct lines, and some in disorder. Generally, those that fly very 

 high sometimes take suddenly a downward course, fly low for a 

 short time, and then rise to the same height as before. Some weaker 

 kinds of birds fly only in the daytime, and as much as possible from 

 tree to tree and from forest to forest, using the trees for shelter at 

 night and during high winds and storms. Runners that fly with 

 great difficulty, make rapid progress, alternately running and fly- 

 ing. Aquatic birds sometimes take to the water and swim, when 

 they come upon a river or other body of water which they can use 

 for helping them onward in their migration. The progress of mi- 

 gratory birds is aided by favorable winds, and retarded, often for 

 several days, by contrary winds. The restlessness and excitement 

 that birds experience before and during their flight, cease soon after 

 they arrive at their destination. 



The Wanderings of birds resemble their migrations, inasmuch 

 as the former, with more or less regularity, take place at certain 

 times. Wandering birds usually live in the higher northern lati- 

 tudes, and are forced to migrate by having their feeding-places sud- 

 denly covered up by heavy snow-falls. Other wanderers fly from 

 north to south within a certain zone, during very severe winters. 

 Birds inhabiting the higher mountainous regions annually migrate 

 to lower places, and, with the opening of spring, return to their 

 former homes. 



The Strolling of birds occurs at all seasons, and in all parts 

 of the globe. Birds having no mates, go in search of them, and 

 birds of prey are always strolling for food. Some birds seem to 

 enjoy a strolling, irregular life, as they wander about without any 

 apparent object. But wherever a bird may stroll, however long 

 or short its journeyings, and however long or short the time of its 

 sojourn abroad, its home is in the locality where it builds its nest 

 and rears its young. 



The Utility and Protection of Birds. 



The Utility of birds to mankind is beyond question. They 

 are our guardians against insects, whose ravages would, were it 

 not for birds, lay waste the entire globe. Birds are held in high 

 esteem even among savages. Their handsome forms, their bright 

 and beautiful plumage, the astonishing celerity of their motions, 

 their long, rapid, and lofty flights, and', above all, the delightful 

 harmony and sweetness of many of their songs, win the admira- 

 tion and affection of all human hearts. From the earliest periods 

 of history, birds have always been the favorites of man, and es- 

 pecially of womankind. From them, more than from all other 

 animals, we make selections for our entertainment, and for intimate 

 and constant companionship in our private rooms, and even in our 

 parlors. Many of our domestic and other birds supply us with 

 feathers for use and ornament, while their eggs and flesh furnish 

 wholesome and delicious food. 



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The Protection of birds has been often, in civilized countries, 

 made the subject of legal enactment. But it is to be regretted that 

 such legislation and its enforcement have never given the protec- 

 tion that should have been afforded. Our legislators, in gen- 

 eral, are not adequately informed as to the utility of birds, else they 

 would hardly be willing to leave any of them beyond the pale of 

 legal protection. Many birds seemingly useless, or even destruc- 

 tive, will be found, on closer observation, to be among our greatest 

 benefactors. Natural history, in general, and Ornithology, in par- 

 ticular, are interesting and important branches of education. 



Classification of Birds. 



The Systematic Classification of birds is attended with pe- 

 culiar difficulties, owing to their many resemblances, combined 

 with manifold variations. Numerous systems of classification have 

 been devised, especially since the beginning of the present cen- 

 tury ; but none of these are entirely satisfactory, all of them being 

 considered, by Ornithologists in general, as more or less unnatural 

 and artificial. The system of Linnaeus has been long abandoned, 

 although its author deserves the same credit for his orderly distri- 

 butions in Ornithology as in other departments of Zoology. 



In the classification herein attempted, the suggestions of the best 

 modern Ornithologists have been adopted. There is doubtless 

 room enough for many improvements ; and improvements will cer- 

 tainly be made, as the further progress of the Science of Birds shall 

 lead to agreement, on doubtful or disputed points, among its 

 votaries. 



FIRST CLASS. 



CRACKERS— {Enuclatores)— Three Orders. 



FIRST ORDER. 



Parrots — (Psittacini) — Six Groups. 

 First Group — Parrots Proper — (Psittaci) — Seven Families. 



1. Gray Parrots — Psittacus. 



2. Green Parrots — Chrysotis. 



3. Short-tail Parrots — Pionus. 



4. Fan Parrots — Deroptyus. 



5. Dwarf Parrots — Agapomis. 



6. Sparrow Parrots — Psittacula. 



7. Siskin Parrots — Nasitema. 



Second Group — Loris — (Lorii) — Four Families. 



1. Loris — Lorius. 



2. Lorikets — Psittacuteles. 



3. Purple Loris — Coriphilus. 



4. Long-tailed Loris — Pyrrhodes. 



Third Grotcp — Cockatoos — (Plyctolophi) — Seven Families. 



1. Cockatoos — Cacatua. 



2. Helmet Cockatoos — Calocephalus. 



3. Fan Cockatoos — Licmetis. 



4. Ground Cockatoos — Nestor. 



5. Hair Cockatoos — Dasyptilus. 



6. Proboscis Cockatoos— Microglossum. 



7. Raven Cockatoos — Calyptorhynchus. 



Fourth Group) — Night Parrots— (Strigopes) — One Family. 

 1. Night Parrots — Strigops. 



Fifth Group — Araras — (Arcs) — Four Families. 



1. Araras — Ara. 



2. Blue Araras — Anodorhynchus. 



3. Wedge-tail Araras — Conurus. 



4. Nose Araras — Fnicognathus. 



Sixth Group — Sittiches (Sparrow or Finch Parrots) — PalcBor- 

 niihes) — Seven Families. 



1. Noble Sittiches — Palceoi-nis. 



2. Superb Sittiches— Poly teles. 



3. Grass Sittiches — Platycerctis. 



4. Speckled Sittiches— Psephotus. 



5. Ornamental Sittiches— Mclopsittacus. 



6. Painted Sittiches — Nymphicus. 



7. Ground Sittiches — Pezoporus. 



