76 
ROOM XII. 
Nat. Hist. 
The family of Pheasants ( Phasianidce ), have the 
tarsi usually armed with spurs, and the head more or 
less naked, as the Pheasant ( Phasianus ). 
The family of Grouse ( Tetraonidce ), have most of 
the characters of the preceding group, but their tail 
is short, and head less naked, as the Grouse (Tetrad), 
and the Partridge (Perdix). 
The family of Ostriches (Struthionidce), of which 
we have only one representative in this country, the 
Bustard (Otis), are peculiar for having long legs with¬ 
out spurs, and short wings. 
The Wading Birds (Grallot ores), have long slender 
legs, and the lower part of the thigh naked. They 
are divided into five families. The family of Plovers 
(Charadriidce), Cases Nos. 18 and 19, have short bills 
and moderate legs, and generally only three toes are 
directed forwards. They usually inhabit sandy places, 
and run very fast, as the Courser, ( Cursorius ), Plover 
(Charadrius), Lapwing (Vanellus), Turnstone (Strepsi- 
las), Sanderling (Calidris), and Oyster-catcher (Hcema- 
topus). 
The family of Herons (Ardeidce), Cases Nos. 18 and 
19, have long legs and bill, and elongated hind toes 
placed nearly on a level with the others. These are 
the largest birds of this order, as the Heron (Ardea), 
the Stork ( Ciconia ), the Spoonbill ( Platalea ), and the 
Ibis (Ibis), 
Cases Nos. 20 and 21. The family of Snipes ( Scolo - 
pacidce), are small birds, with long slender bills, and 
an elevated hind toe. They generally live in marshy 
places, or on the sea-shore, feeding on worms, which 
they draw out of their holes with their slender beaks ; 
as the Curlew (Numenius), Sandpiper ( Totanus ), the 
Avocet (Recurvirostra), the God wit (Totanus), the 
Snipe (Scolopax), Case No. 22, the Dunlin ( Tringa ), 
the Lobe Foot (Lobipes), Cases Nos. 23 and 24, and 
the Phalarope (Pkalaropus). 
The family of Rails (Rallidce), are easily known 
by their shorter legs and long toes, often fringed on 
the 
