64 
NATURAL HISTORY. [UPPER FLOOR. 
same Case, have a broad bill with a wide gape, long wing, 
and short weak legs. 
The family of Bee-eaters ( Meropidoe ), have elongated, 
rather strong bills; as the Roller ( Coracias ), and the Bee- 
eaters ( Merops ). 
The Kingfishers (Haley onidce), of which only one species 
is known in this country, have a long four-sided beak, and 
their toes united at the base, as the genus Alcedo. 
The two remaining families have very short weak bills, 
and a very wide gape, which enables them to catch the 
insects on which they feed whilst on the wing; as the family 
of Swallows (j Hirundinidae), which fly by day, viz. the true 
Swallows ( Hirundo ), and Swifts ( Cypselus ). 
The family of Goat-suckers (Caprimulgidce), which only 
fly in the evening; the last have the soft feathers, and much 
of the habits of the Owl, as the genus Caprimulgus . 
The third order, or Rasorial Birds (Rasores), have long 
muscular legs, well adapted to walking, short wings, and 
blunt claws. They live chiefly on the ground, and are 
divided into four families. 
The family of Pigeons ( Columbidce ), Cases Nos. 16 and 
17, consists of only one genus (Columba ); their feet and 
tail are formed like the perching birds, but the base of the 
upper mandible is covered with a soft, tumid membrane, in 
which the nostril is pierced. 
The Pheasants ( Phasianidce ), have the tarsi usually 
armed with spurs, and the head more or less naked; as the 
Pheasant ( Phasianus ). 
The Grouse ( Tetraonidce ), have most of the characters 
of the preceding group, but their tail is short, and head 
less naked; as the Grouse (Tetrao), and the Partridge 
( Perdix ). 
The Ostriches (* Struthioiiidce), of which we have only one 
representative in this country, the Bustard (Otis), are pe¬ 
culiar for having long legs without spurs, and short wings. 
The fourth order, or Wading Birds (Grallatores), 
have long slender legs, and the lower part of the thigh 
naked. They are divided into five families. 
The family of Plovers ( Charadriadce), Cases Nos. 18 and 
19, have short bills and moderate legs, and generally'only 
three toes, all directed forwards; rarely the rudiment of a 
fourth toe. They usually inhabit sandy places, and run very 
fast; as the Courser ( Cursorius), Thickknee (CEdicnemus ), 
