Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1871 edition. Excerpt: ... INTRODUCTION. The Birds of Canada may be divided into two classes--Granivorous and Carnivorous. Some of our birds, hpwever, hold a middle nature, and partake of both. They may also be divided into six Orders--The Order of Raptores, or Birds of Prey; the Order of Scansores, or Climbers; the Order of Insessores, or Perchers; the Order of Rasores, or Scratchers; the Order of Grallatores, or Waders; the Order of Natatores, or Swimmers; and again subdivided into SubOrders, Families, and Sub-Families. Order I.--Raptores, or Birds of Prey.--Are mostly birds of large size, having strong hooked bills, sharp claws, great extent of wing, and powerful muscles; the females are generally larger than the males. Birds of this Order live in pairs, such as Eagles, Hawks, Buzzards, and Owls. Order II.--Scansores, or Climbers.--Birds of this Order have their toes in pairs--two in front and two behind--which especially facilitates climbing. The Cuculidce, or Cuckoo Family and the Picida, or Woodpecker Family, belong to this Order. ORDER III.--Insessores, or Perehers.--This Order embraces a greater number of species than any other, and comprehends all those birds which live habitually among trees, with the exception of birds of prey and climbing birdsAll true perching birds have three toes before, and one behind. ORDER IV.--Rasores, or Seratchers.--Comprises birds which live mainly upon the ground, and feed principally upon berries, buds, tender leaves, and grain; such as Doves, Grouse, Partridges, and Turkeys. ORDER V.--Grallatores, or Waders.--Birds of this Order live near the water, and comprise the Herons, Bitterns, Plovers, Snipes, Phalaropes, Sandpipers, and Rails. ORDER VI.--Natatores, or Swimmers.--Birds of this Order are especially fitted for aquatic...
