^2 LECTURE VI. 



opinion as to the arrangement of some of the 

 genera in the Order Grallas, some of which ap- 

 pear of a dubious cast, and may with almost 

 equal propriety be referred either to the Gralles 

 or Gallina ; while others seem to hang in equal 

 suspence between the Grallcs and the Anseres 

 or JVeb'footed Birds. 



In both these tribes I shall, as usual, parti- 

 cularize only some of the most important genera. 

 "We shall commence with the Order Grail ae. 



The Order Gralla is considered by Linnjeusr 

 as analogous to the Order Bruta among Qua- 

 drupeds. The bill in these birds is generally 

 rather long than short : the legs lengthened, and 

 the thighs often bare of feathers above the knee. 

 Their chief residence is in watery situations, and 

 their food consists of various kinds of aquatic 

 animals, though some feed also on vegetable sub- 

 stances. Their nests are often on the ground, 

 sometimes in tall trees. It is observed that few 

 of the birds of this order lay more than four 

 eggs, and some genera only two. 



Perhaps the most remarkable genus among 

 the GralLs or JVadei-s is that of Mycteria or 

 Jabiru. It is distinguished by having a very 



