420. B 1 R D S. 



ground, and the females lay great numbers of eggs each brood ; they generally lead 

 their young ones very early in queft of food, which they point out to them by a parti-? 

 cular call. 



VII. STRUTHIONES, orSTRUTHIOUS BIRDS. 



The body is very bulky and heavy, and is fcarcely eatable. — The wings are either 

 entirely wanting, or are very fmall and altogether ufelefs for flight. — The feet are fit- 

 ted for running, having the toes varioufly difpofed in the different genera. — The birds 

 of this order live in pairs, when breeding; build their nefts on the ground, or even, 

 leave their eggs there without any neft ; and they feed on vegetables and feeds. 



VIII. PASSE RES, os. PASSERINE BIRDS. 



The bill is of a conical form, and pointed at the end. — The feet are fitted for perch- 

 ing and hopping, the toes being flender and divided, with flender bent fharp claws.— 

 The body is flender. — The birds of this order moftly live in pairs when breeding, build- 

 ing artificially conftrucled nefts, in various fituations; they moftly fing ; they feed 

 fome on feeds, and others on infects, keeping much on the branches of trees, buflies, 

 and hedges ; and they feed their young ones by pufbing the food down their throats 

 from their own bills. Such as live on infects are reckoned unfit for food, but thofe that 

 feed on feeds and grain are good eating. 



IX. COLUMBJE,orDOVES. 



The bill is ftraightifli, and is fwelled out at the bafe. — The legs are fhort, with feet 

 fitted for walking, which have fimple fhort, blunt, claws. — The body is flefhy, and 

 makes very good high flavoured food. — This race of birds lives in pairs, when breed- 

 ing, making very inartificial nefts on trees, or in hollow places of rocks and caverns j 

 they feed on feeds, grain, and fruits, having a crop and gizzard like the Gallinaceous 

 birds, and they feed their young ones with fuch food as has been already macerated in 

 the croDs of the mother, 



C H A R A C- 



