CONTENTS, 
VOLUME I. 
Page 
Introduction ........ 1 
Chapter I. Rank of Birds in the Animal Kingdom.— 
Tables of Classification. — Directions for their appli- 
cation ......... 6 
Chapter II. Structure of Birds. — External Structure. 
— Skeleton.— Character of Beak. — Bones, their light- 
ness. — Solidity of Backbone. — Breastbone, use of. — • 
Wing-bones. — Legs, peculiarities of. — When resting 
on one leg, why Birds do not fall . . . .28 
Chapter III. Internal Structure.- — Digestive Organs. 
— Gullet, Crop, Stomach — Adaptation of, to diffe- 
rent habits of Birds. — Gastric Juice — Its use and 
properties. — Gizzard, its grinding powers. — Respira- 
tion of Birds .50 
Chapter IV. Organs of Sound. — Ducks, Crane, Goat- 
Sucker, Bell-Bird, &c. — Distance at which Sounds 
may be heard. — Plumage. — Structure of Feathers. — 
Goose-Plucking. — Summer and Winter Plumage . 67 
Chapter V. Flight. — Muscular power of Wings — 
Peculiarity of, in different Birds. — Adapted to 
various habits. — -Rapidity of motion, and rate of — 
