04 
NATURAL HISTORY. [UPPER FLOOR. 
the same Case, have a broad bill with a wide gape, long 
wing, and short weak legs. 
The Bee-eaters ( Meropidce ), have elongated, rather 
strong bills; as the Roller ( Coracias ), and the Bee-eaters 
(Meropis). 
The Kingfishers ( Halcionidce ), of which only one species 
is known in this country, have a long four-sided beak, and 
their toes united at the base. 
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 Swallows 
( Hirujidinidce ), which fly by day, viz. the true Swallows 
(Hirundo ), and Swifts ( Cypselus ), and the Goat-suckers 
( Caprimulgus), which only fly in the evening; the last have 
the soft feathers, and much of the habits of the Owl. 
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 ( ColumbidcB ), 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 ( Strutkio?iidce ), 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 Wading Birds ( Grallatores ) have long slender 
legs, and the lower part of the thigh naked. They are 
divided into five families. 
The Plovers ( Charadriidce ), 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 ), Plover (Charadrius), Lapwing 
