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CHAPTER I. 
RANK OF BIRDS IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM. TABLES 
OF CLASSIFICATION. — DIRECTION S FOR THEIR AP- 
PLICATION. 
Birds form the second class in the great natural 
division of the Animal Kingdom. They resemble the 
first class, Mammalia (those that suckle their young), 
in some respects ; such as the general form of the 
skeleton, the mode of breathing through lungs, &c. 
They differ from them by being what is termed 
Oviparous, or producing their young enclosed in eggs, 
in their outward form, in their feathery covering, 
and in the structure of their mouths, which are fur- 
nished with a horny bill, instead of lips and teeth ; 
but most particularly are they distinguished from 
other animals, by being provided with wings. 
It is not our intention, as we have said, to treat 
the subject in what is called a scientific manner, by 
entering into details and particulars, more calculated 
for those who have made it a matter of long study, 
than for the greater number, probably, of our 
readers, who may have paid little attention to it ; 
but as it is our wish to be as extensively useful as 
possible, we have drawn up the following Tables, 
giving at a glance, not only a general outline of the 
rules by which Birds are classed, but at the same 
time enabling an inexperienced person, with very 
little trouble, in most cases, to make out for him- 
self the genus, or family, of any specimen which 
may be placed before him, and which he may wish 
to describe. 
