DIVISIONS OF BIRDS. 301 
“The Perchers form by far the most numerous order of birds, 
but are the least easily recognisable by distinctive characters 
common to the whole group. Their feet, being more especially 
adapted to the delicate labours of nidification” (building the 
nest), “have neither the webbed structure of those of the 
Swimmers, nor the robust strength and destructive talons which 
characterise the feet of the Bzrds of Rapine, nor yet the extended 
toes which enable the Wader to walk safely over marshy soils 
and tread lightly on the floating leaves of aquatic plants; but 
the toes are slender, flexible, and moderately elongated, with 
long, pointed, and slightly curved claws. 
“The Perchers, in general, have the females smaller and less 
brilliant in their plumage than the males ; they always live in 
pairs, build in trees, and display the greatest art in the con- 
struction of their nests. The young are excluded in a blind 
and naked state, and are wholly dependent for subsistence dur- 
ing a certain period on parental care. The brain arrives in 
this order at its greatest proportionate size ; the organ of voice 
here attains its utmost complexity ; and all the characteristics 
of the bird, as power of flight, melody of voice, and beauty of 
plumage, are enjoyed in the highest perfection by one or other 
of the groups of this extensive and varied order.” 
The structure, then, of the feet gives the definition of the 
order, but the minor subdivisions are founded on the nature of 
the beak ; this organ varying in form according to the nature of 
the food, which may be “small or young birds, carrion, insects, 
fruit, seeds, vegetable juices, or of a mixed kind.” In accord- 
ance with this character, the Zwsessores have been divided into 
four great sections, as follows :— 
1. Controstres,—in which the bill is strong and on the whole 
conical, broad at the base and tapering with considerable rapid- 
ity to the point (fig. 164, C). The upper mandible is not markedly 
toothed at its lower margin. Good examples of the Coniros- 
tral beak are to be found in the common Sparrow, Bullfinch, 
Crow, or Hawfinch (C). The greater part of the Controstres 
are omnivorous, eating anything which may come in their Way ; 
but some are granivorous, subsisting upon grains and seeds. 
To this section belong the Horn-bills (Buceride), the Starlings 
(Sturnid@), the Crows, Jays, and Magpies (Corvzdz), the Cross- 
bills (Loxad@), and the numerous Finches and Larks (fyzx- 
gillide). 
