DIVISIONS OF BIRDS. 299 
tinctive and exclusive peculiarity, except the fact that the feet 
have four toes, of which two are turned backwards and two 
forwards (fig. 162, A). Of the two toes which are turned back- 
wards, one is the proper hind-toe, and the other is the outer- 
most or little toe. This arrangement of the toes enables the 
Scansorial birds to climb with great ease and readiness. Their 
powers of flight are usually very moderate, and below the 
general average, and their food consists of insects and fruits of 
various kinds. Their nests are usually made in the hollows of 
old trees, but some (Cuckoos) have the remarkable habit of 
depositing their eggs in the nests of other birds. They are 
never polygamous, and the young are born in a naked and 
helpless condition. 
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Fig. 162.—A, Foot of Woodpecker (Picvs) ; B, Head of Love-bird (A gagornzs). 
The following families have been established in the Scazsores : 
I. The Cuculide or Cuckoo family, comprising the true Cuckoos 
and some allied birds. They are remarkable for the fact that 
many of them are “ parasitic ;” that is to say, they lay their eggs 
in the nests of other birds, The Yellow-billed Cuckoo (C. 
Americanus), however, of the United States, builds a nest for 
itself and brings up its own young. 2. The Pzcide or Wood- 
pecker family, comprising many familiar birds, all of which 
climb and run up trees with the greatest facility. ‘They live 
mostly on insects, which they catch by darting out their long, 
worm-like, barbed tongue. 3. The Ps¢t/actde or Parrot family, 
comprising the true Parrots, the Cockatoos, the Lories, the 
Parrakeets, and the Macaws, They are all natives of hot cli- 
mates, and are most remarkable for their brilliant plumage, and 
