. Our own birds : a familiar natural history of the birds of the United States . or usto make, which cannot but be of use to the youngstudent of Ornithology. How wonderfully is theform of a bird adapted to the element in which it isdesigned to move! We perceive that the generaloutline of its body is boat shaped, as being mostconsistent with a rapid motion through the air. Theskeleton is admirably formed, both as to strengthand buoyancy, many of the larger bones being hol-low, and filled with air instead of marrow. In thedevelopment of the muscles, also, we see compact-ness combined with prodig
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. Our own birds : a familiar natural history of the birds of the United States . or usto make, which cannot but be of use to the youngstudent of Ornithology. How wonderfully is theform of a bird adapted to the element in which it isdesigned to move! We perceive that the generaloutline of its body is boat shaped, as being mostconsistent with a rapid motion through the air. Theskeleton is admirably formed, both as to strengthand buoyancy, many of the larger bones being hol-low, and filled with air instead of marrow. In thedevelopment of the muscles, also, we see compact-ness combined with prodigious force; and the struc-ture of the wing at once commends itself to ournotice as a propelling, as well as a supporting power, peculiarly sujtfJ io the wants of the bird; while thewhole body is clothed with a covering which, forlig;htness, warmth, and beauty, could hardly be ex-celled. By reference to the adjoining cut, the followingdescription of the difierent parts of a bird, and thenames applied to some of the most prominent fea-thers, will be understood: L4 INTRO DUCTIOJS. H G F E D C B A. Primary quills. B. Secondary C. Spurious wing. D. Greater wing coverts. E. Tertiary quills. F. Throat. G. Jugulum.H. Bill. I. Front. J. Crown. K. Scapular feathers. L. Interscapular, M. Tarsus, or leg. N. Abdomen. O. Rump. P. Upper tail coverts. Q. Lower Birds have been by some naturalists divided intosix diJGferent orders, as follows : Is*. ACCIPITRES. (Preying). Eagles, Falcons, and Vultures. 2d. INSESSORES. (Perching). Sparrows, Warblers, Thrushes, Ac. M. SCANSORES. (Climbing). Woodpeckers and Parrots. Uh. QALUN^. (Scraping). Pheasant, Partridge, &c. 5th. GRALLZE. (Wculing). Heron, Crane, and Ibis. Uh. NATATORES ■ SwimmiTtf/) •leese and T>uck8 CLASSIFICATION OF BIRDS. 15 Each order, it will be seen, possesses a peculiarformation of the bill, wings, or feet; and it is by theclose observance of them, as well as of differences intheir plumage, that the naturalist is enabled to dis-