CHAPTER VII. 



PASSERINES. 



The Passerines (from passer, the Latin name for Sparrow) 

 form the least natural group of the class Aves. Here one seeks 

 in vain for the hom.ogeneous characteristics which distinguish 

 the preceding races. Indeed, it is difficult to detect the bonds 

 which connect them together. For example, where is the link 

 which unites the Crow to the Swallow or to the Humming- 

 birds ? Nevertheless, all these winged creatures, though so 

 different externally, belong to the Passerma. It may be said 

 that this order presents only negative characteristics, bringing 

 together in a somewhat odd assemblage all birds which are 

 neither web-footed, wading, gallinaceous, climbing, nor rapacious. 

 The onh' physical feature on which much stress can be laid, which 

 is common to all Passerines, and even that not of much value, is 

 that the outward toe is united to the middle one in a more or less 

 extended manner. Their food consists of seeds, insects, and fruit. 

 They live singly or in pairs ; they fly gracefully and easily ; their 

 walk consists of a leap ; and they build their nests and take their 

 rest under the thick foliage of trees, or under the eaves of 

 buildings. 



In this extensive group we find most of the songsters whose 

 melodious voices so charmingly wake the echoes of the wood- 

 lands. Some of them have even the gift of imitating to a certain 

 extent the human voice, as well as the cries of wild animals. 

 Many are remarkable for their brilliant plumage ; others are 

 appreciated for their delicacy on the table. Man has reduced 

 numbers of them to comparative tameness, but has altogether 

 failed in bringing them to a domestic state. 



Cuvier divides the Passerince into five great famiKes— the Syn~ 



1 1 



