CLASSIFICATION OF BIRDS. 191 



Swimming birds, having the toes united by a membrane ; legs 

 placed behind the equilibrium ; the body covered with a thick coat 

 of down beneath the feathers. 



• This order, as well as all the subsequent ones, are subdivided 

 into families, genera, species, and even varieties. 



The order of Natatores is most extensively represented all over 

 the earth, the Arctic and Antarctic seas, as well as the lagoons and 

 rivers of tropical zones, being the habitats of its different represen- 

 tatives. Their size also varies much, for the Albatross and Petrel, 

 the Swan and the diminutive Teal, are included in it. Among them 

 also is such great dissimilarity of form that the inexperienced in 

 ornithology would never for a moment suppose that the Flamingo, 

 with its long awkward-looking legs and peculiarly shaped bill, belonged 

 to the same order as the active, graceful Tropic Bird or the slender- 

 shaped Tern. 



II. Grallatores. 



Wading birds, having the legs long and naked from the tibia 

 downwards. 



Much that I have said in reference to the former order can be 

 applied to this one, for the diminutive Jack-snipe and the immense 

 Ostrich are both included in it. Again, there is almost as much dis- 

 similarity in some of the bills of members of this order as it would 

 be possible to suppose — for instance, that of the Spoonbill and the 

 Woodcock. Again, among the Grallatores are to be found some of 

 the most valued birds for culinary purposes, while others are entirely 

 unfit for human food. 



III. Gallinace^e (Rasores, 111.). 



Scratching birds. Feet with strong, obtuse, scratching claws ; 

 mandible vaulted ; nostrils pierced at the base, covered by a carti- 

 laginous scale. Domestic and Jungle Fowl. 



Difference of size is not so conspicuous among the members of 

 this order, although the Pea-fowl and Turtle Dove are both included 

 in it. They are, with few exceptions, natives of tropical and tem- 

 perate climates. 



IV. Scansores. 



Climbing birds, with opposing toes in pairs, two behind and two 

 before. 



