ORDERS OF BIRDS, 



CHARACTERS OF THE ORDERS. 

 DIVISION I. LAND BIRDS. 



ORDER I. RAPACIOUS. 



BILL incurvated, the upper mandible hooked, with an indentation near the tip. Nos- 

 trils for the most part open. 



Feet made for perching, short, strong. 



Body, Head, and Neck muscular. Skin thick; Flesh impure. 



Food obtained by rapine, or preying on carrion. 



Nest built on trees, or elevated places. — Eggs generally four in number.— Female larger; 

 Monogamous. 



ORDER II. PIES. 



BILL sharp-edged, upper mandible convex. 

 Feet made for walking, short, strong. 

 Body somewhat tenacious. Flesh impure. 

 Food various. 



Nest on trees; the male feeds the female while sitting.— Monogamous; 



d 



