316 GRALLATOEBS, OE WADING BIRDS. 



The nature of their food varies with the form and strength of 

 the bill and the locality they inhabit ; it consists generally of 

 fish, small batrachia, moUusks, worms, and insects ; sometimes of 

 small mammalia and reptiles, and more rarely of grasses and 

 seeds. This kind of sustenance must be wonderfully fitted to 

 develop the savoury qualities of their flesh, for it is among this 

 class that we find our most delicious specimens of "game." 

 The mere mention of the Woodcock, Snipe, Plover, Pewit, and 

 Bustard is sufficient to establish their claim upon the epicure. 

 Some kinds, which are utterly devoid of any culinary properties, 

 are furnished with a plumage to which ladies owe some of their 

 most brilliant adornments. The Ostrich and Marabout feathers, 

 and those of the Heron, are keenly appreciated by many fair 

 ones, whose beauty the feathers are supposed to greatly enhance. 

 In short, this order of birds possesses two important qualities— 

 worthih^ ministering to the taste of the most fastidious palate, 

 and handsomely decorating with its gorgeous plumage our fashion- 

 able and wealthy belles. Gormandising and coquetry alike find 

 satisfaction, and derive from these birds some of their most agree- 

 able sensations. If they had the additional gift of melody they 

 might lay claim to perfection ; however, such is not the case, as 

 their notes are shrill and discordant. 



The Waders are monogamous or poh'gamous according to their 

 species ; but their history furnishes us with some touching 

 instances of conjugal attachment. Thej' make their nests either 

 on trees, buildings, or the surface of the earth ; sometimes even in 

 the middle of tlie water, among the reeds, sedges, and other 

 aquatic plants. In general, they evince but little care in the 

 construction of their progenies' birth-place. In most cases they 

 are contented to collect together a variety of substances without 

 much discrimination ; sometimes they merely scratch a hole in the 

 ground, in which the}^ deposit their eggs without any further care. 



The Wadei's are usually divided into six great families, which 

 are again divisible into many genera. Following Cuvier's classi- 

 fication, with sojue slight modification, we propose arranging 

 the group as follows : — I. Palmidacti/les, II. Macrodacti/ks, 

 III. Longirostra:, IV. CuUrirostnx, V. PressirostrcE, and YI. Bre- 

 iipenrue. 



